Photo by Isosport/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Isosport/MB Media/Getty Images
Liverpool fans will be relieved to see the back of the international break, with all eyes now on a mouth-watering clash with Manchester City on Sunday.
There were a few clear negatives of the break, mainly injury concerns over Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Jeremy Jacquet, but there were also some big positives to note as well.
Jurgen Klopp reinvigorated Florian Wirtz to some degree, while there were also good moments for Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Milos Kerkez. Beyond the first-team, though, Liverpool fans may also have missed the performances of new £30m goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, who impressed for Belgium U21s.
Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool celebrates with the Champions League Trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool
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Brughmans racks up a hat-trick of clean sheets
After they signed him for a big fee right at the end of the summer transfer window, there have since been claims that Liverpool think Brughmans is the best young goalkeeper in the world.
The 18-year-old is already a starter for Genk, one of Belgium’s biggest clubs, and looks destined for a career with the senior national team as the long-term successor to Thibaut Courtois.
For now, however, the youngster is playing for the U21s, already an impressive feat given his young age, and he played all three of their fixtures during the September/October break.
Liverpool fans will be excited to note that the teenager did not concede a single goal against Belarus, Wales or Denmark, showcasing just what a big talent he is.
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Obviously, Brughmans cannot take sole credit for that himself, but it is another step in the right direction for a player who could be a big part of Liverpool’s future.
Brughmans was brilliant for Genk against Anderlecht just before the international break, and having carried his good form into his national team performances, there will be a growing anticipation for his arrival at Anfield in 2027.
Given the slightly uninspiring options for Mark van Bommel’s senior team in the absence of the semi-retired Courtois, it would be no surprise if Brughmans joins up for his first call-up during the November break. That would be the next natural development of a young career which already promises much.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Virgil van Dijk for Liverpool
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