A number of Liverpool players are set to represent their nations over the course of the March international break, but others will stay home through injury and cruelly missing the cut
Federico Chiesa applauds
Federico Chiesa will not participate in Italy's match against Northern Ireland(Image: Getty Images)
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A staggering nine Liverpool players will miss the chance to represent their countries during the March international break, as the extent of Arne Slot's injury crisis is laid bare. It has been a tough season for the Reds, who currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, a whopping 21 points adrift of a table-topping Arsenal.
And with just seven matches remaining in 2025/26, the chances of Liverpool defending the title that they lifted last May are virtually non-existent, given that there's just 21 points up for grabs if the Reds are perfect from now until season's end. Unusually, the club have thrived in the FA Cup, and will. take on Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the competition come Saturday, April 4.
Elsewhere, Liverpool have also been a force in the Champions League, recently stamping their place in the quarter-finals of Europe's premier football competition with a 4-1 win over Galatasaray across two legs. They will now take on PSG in early April for a spot in the final four.
However, as evidenced by the alarming number of players who will miss international duty with their respective nations in the coming days, Liverpool have struggled with player injury and inconsistency as of late. Here, the ECHO breaks down nine players who will miss competing at this month's international break, as countries worldwide gear up for this summer's World Cup in North America.
Alisson Becker
Giorgi Mamardashvili was in goal for Saturday's clash between Liverpool and Brighton at the AMEX Stadium as a result of Alisson sustaining injury. While it has not been specified what the exact issue is, the Brazilian shot-stopper has been out for a large part of this season as a result of a hamstring injury sustained against Galatasaray in September.
Taking to Instagram on Saturday morning, he also wrote: "Unfortunately I will be out of action for a while. Already working hard to be back stronger! Thank you for the support."
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Slot, meanwhile, has since confirmed that Alisson will be out of action until after the international break, as he races back to fitness to face PSG in the next round of the Champions League. The head coach said at the weekend: "Alisson will definitely be out during the international break. Let’s see afterwards."
Conor Bradley
Conor Bradley is out for the rest of the season as a result of a knee injury sustained against Arsenal in January. While not an ACL issue, it is understood that the defender suffered both bone and ligament damage after landing awkwardly.
As a result, he will miss Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier clash with Italy on Thursday, March 26 - as well as their potential match against the winner of Bosnia vs Wales, should they progress.
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Wataru Endo
Wataru Endo has been sidelined with an ankle issue since he was stretchered off against Sunderland in February. Having since undergone surgery, it is unknown as to when the Japan captain will return to club and world football.
While he looks likely to miss the rest of the season, it is hoped that he will be fit enough to represent his country at the World Cup this summer. However, as for this month's friendlies with Scotland and England, the 33-year-old will sit out.
Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian forward signalled that he needed to come off with around 20 minutes to go during Liverpool's 4-0 win over Galatasaray last week, subsequently missing the Brighton match at the weekend. Speaking about Mohamed Salah's injury, Slot explained: "Unusual [he is injured], I think you expect the outcome so he is not available for tomorrow.
"Good thing for Liverpool is we go to international break, bad news for Egypt, he can't go there. We hope with what Mo has shown in the past he can recover faster than other players.
Mohamed Salah looks on
Mohamed Salah missed Saturday's fixture with Brighton(Image: Getty Images)
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"He takes such good care of his body, he can be back earlier than others as history has shown. Only two weeks until we go again."
Salah will miss Egypt's games against Saudi Arabia and Spain as a result.
Giovanni Leoni
Giovanni Leoni has been away from the Liverpool first-team since September, after he suffered an ACL injury on his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup. While it is unknown as to whether Gennaro Gattuso would have considered the 19-year-old for selection against Northern Ireland had the season played out differently, he will certainly not make the trip to the New Balance Arena.
Jayden Danns
Again, while it is unknown as to whether Thomas Tuchel would have granted Jayden Danns his first senior England cap this month given that he has failed to consistently break into the Liverpool first-team, the forward is unable to compete over the March international break.
As a result of suffering a minor hamstring issue, it is likely that Danns will miss the next three to four weeks of football.
Stefan Bajcetic
Stefan Bajcetic has not played for Liverpool since sustaining a hamstring injury while on loan with Las Palmas last season. Slot said in January that the Spaniard continues to suffer setbacks in his recovery.
As a result of never playing for Spain at senior level, as well as the wealth of competition in his position, it is unknown as to whether Luis de la Fuente would have recruited him for the nation's upcoming friendlies with Serbia and Egypt.
Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak has also been away from the world of football since fracturing his leg against Tottenham in December. However, according to Slot, he should be fit to return against PSG in the Champions League next month.
The head coach said of the Swede: "Alex will be available [for PSG], yes. The question is what you mean around ‘being ready.' If you want to have the player who played exactly a year ago against us in the Carabao Cup final and was too good for us on that day, then I would tell you I have my doubts about that after seven or eight months out.
Alexander Isak looks on
Alexander Isak has been out of action since December(Image: PA)
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"But I expect that I can use him for minutes. Exactly what I get from that I cannot tell you because he hasn’t trained with the team even once."
Sweden take on Ukraine in the World Cup qualifiers on Thursday, March 26 but will be without Isak. A win would see them face the winner of Poland's mirroring match with Albania.
Federico Chiesa
While Federico Chiesa was called up to the Italy squad by Gattuso for Thursday's match with Northern Ireland, the forward ultimately had to withdraw early. The head coach hinted that illness was the reason behind his early return to Merseyside, telling the media: "Not everyone is the same.
"Footballers’ minds aren’t all alike. When I hear he has problems, that he’s hesitant, I have to make a decision. We decided together because he didn’t feel up to it; he went back home, and I accepted it.
"I can try to convince him for a while, but I always think that in life, beyond a match, relationships matter. I don’t have great medical expertise, but if someone isn’t feeling well, you shouldn’t insist.
“If he ends up damaging his knee, how is that player supposed to look at me? So I don’t push it - I make him understand. When someone feels they’re not at 100%, it’s right that they go home."