VERDICTS: Reds on International Duty
by Jimmy Johnson
The international break has now concluded - it was one of the most entertaining breaks in recent memory, with dramatic moments and high-scoring games happening seemingly everywhere. How did Liverpool’s international stars get on?
We gave each Liverpool player on international duty a grade based on their performances - who is in good form ahead of the Reds’ return to Premier League football against Nottingham Forest on Saturday?
Wataru Endo - C
Wataru Endo did nothing wrong over the course of the international break, but he did little to impress audiences either. He only featured in one of Japan’s two games during the international break, as they defeated Bolivia by a score of 3-0.
We can’t give Endo a poor score for his displays during the break, but we also can’t give him anything higher than a C.
Hugo Ekitike - B
There is some stern competition for the number nine position in France’s team at the 2026 World Cup, but Hugo Ekitike was able to stake his claim against Ukraine.
Les Bleus rang rings around their opponents as Ekitike scored their fourth goal of the outing. Despite this, he did not feature in their 3-1 win over Azerbaijan.
Conor Bradley - B
Conor Bradley helped his country secure a spot in the World Cup playoffs during the break - while they only came away with three points from a possible six, Bradley was consistently impressive throughout.
He could do nothing to prevent Slovakia’s winning goal and helped his team pick up a clean sheet in their final qualifying group game against Luxembourg.
Alexis Mac Allister - C
Like with Endo, we gave Alexis Mac Allister a C on the basis of how minimal his impact was during the international break for Argentina.
He played just 60 minutes over the course of the break as La Albiceleste defeated Angola by a score of 2-0 in a friendly.
Giorgi Mamardashvili - D
Georgia and their star goalkeeper have had a rough time in the last few days. Not only were they beaten by Bulgaria by a score of 2-1, they were also subjected to a 4-0 beating at the hands of Spain.
Of the ten shots Mamardashvili faced, he only managed to save four of them. To his credit, Georgia’s hope of World Cup qualifications had long since been dashed before the international break - so they can be excused for not playing to their highest standard.
Andy Robertson - C
Andy Robertson and Scotland made history when they became the first Scotland squad to reach the World Cup for 28 years, but Robertson himself was not among the Tartan Army’s top performers.
He put in a pair of trademark industrious performances, but was responsible for giving away a sloppy penalty during their 4-2 win over Denmark and was part of a backline that conceded five goals in two games.
Though, it is important to note the emotional aspect to his international performances, admiting after the Denmark victory that late former teammate Diogo Jota was at the forefront of his mind during this stint with his national side.
Cody Gakpo - B
Cody Gakpo was quiet when the Netherlands took on Poland and drew 1-1, but he made up for it when they romped to victory over Lithuania.
He scored one of the Netherlands’ goals in that game and set up another. Gakpo has been one of Liverpool’s best players this season, so it’s nice to see him performing well on the international stage.
Image Credits: @SkySports
Milos Kerkez - B
Credits : @OneFootball
This may seem like a generous grade to some, but we thought we’d throw Milos Kerkez a bone. Hungary may have failed to qualify for the World Cup, but it wasn’t for the lack of trying.
In their first game, Kerkez helped them to grind out a win over a difficult Armenia side, before registering an assist against the Republic of Ireland. He largely kept the dangerous Chiedoze Ogbene quiet. Most of the Boys in Green’s success came down the opposite flank.
Florian Wirtz - B
Germany and Florian Wirtz may not have faced the sternest of opposition during the international break, but you can only beat what’s in front of you.
Die Mannschaft certainly did that, beating both Luxembourg and Slovakia with ease.
For all of his woes this season, Wirtz impressed audiences while playing for his country. He picked up a pair of assists in their game against Slovakia.
Credits : @Liverpool
Dominik Szoboszlai - B
Credits : Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
Dominik Szoboszlai is in a similar position to Kerkez, his international compatriot.
Individually, he looked good over the international break, but came away from it with little more than a broken heart.
He picked up two assists for Hungary during the break, one against Armenia and the other finding Daniel Lukacs for their opener against the Republic of Ireland.
Ibrahima Konate - D
Ibrahima Konate did little to endear himself in the eyes of France head coach Didier Deschamps over the course of the international break. He only played in one of their two games and was at fault for Azerbaijan’s opening goal against Les Bleus.
He failed to cut out a cross which was duly poked into the back of the French net. With players such as William Saliba, Theo Hernandez and Dayot Upamecano all vying for a spot in their back two, it’s hard to see him having much of a role to play at the World Cup.
Credits : @ThisIsAnfield
Alexander Isak - N/A
Credits : Atila Altuntas/Anadolu via Getty Images
As Alexander Isak played just over 30 minutes during the international break, we didn’t think it was fair to give him an official grade here.
Ryan Gravenberch - C
Like many Liverpool players this season, Ryan Gravenberch has not been himself.
Although he didn’t do much wrong during the international break, he also had little to show for his efforts.
He only played in their first game of the break as they drew 1-1 with Poland, having no part to play in their 4-0 win over Lithuania.
Credits : @AnfieldIndex
Virgil van Dijk - B
Credits : @ThisIsAnfield
Virgil van Dijk played in both of the Netherlands’ games during the break and looked to be in good form. He could only keep one clean sheet from two games, but we won’t hold this against him.
He had the unenviable job of marking Robert Lewandowski as they took on Poland and largely kept the Barcelona icon quiet, despite him picking up an assist in the dying embers of the first half.
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