The international break is never quite the same when you’re a Liverpool fan.
You spend two weeks hoping everyone comes back fit, while also secretly wanting your players to have a good time with their countries.
It’s a difficult balance.
There are plenty of Liverpool players in action over the coming days, but there are a few in particular I’ll be keeping a close eye on.
Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch are all expected to be involved with the Netherlands, Florian Wirtz is now with the Germany squad, Kostas Tsimikas is with Greece and Lewis Koumas is away with Wales.
And there are some interesting stories behind each of them.
Van Dijk, Gakpo and Gravenberch with the Netherlands
The Netherlands face Serbia in Belgrade on Sunday, and Liverpool could have three players involved.
Van Dijk, Gakpo and Gravenberch all started and played the full 90 minutes in the Netherlands’ 1-1 draw with Germany earlier in the international period, with Gakpo scoring the late equaliser.
For me, Van Dijk is the obvious one to watch.
He’s still the leader of the Netherlands and Liverpool, and I always like seeing him play for his country because you can see just how much responsibility he carries.
Gakpo will also be interesting.
He’s started the season really well for Liverpool and has become one of the most important players in Iraola’s attack. His late goal against Germany was another reminder that he’s capable of producing something when his team needs it.
Then there’s Gravenberch.
I’ve been fairly critical of him at Liverpool this season, particularly when he’s been paired with Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield.
So I’ll be interested to see what happens with the Netherlands.
Sometimes a player can look completely different in a slightly different role or system.
Maybe that’s something Gravenberch can take back to Liverpool.
And there is another Liverpool connection here because former Reds boss Jürgen Klopp is now in charge of Germany.
Unfortunately, Jeremie Frimpong isn’t expected to feature against Serbia after being left out of the Netherlands’ 23-man squad for the game.
That’s a shame for him because every international appearance is another opportunity to build confidence.
Wirtz gets his chance with Germany
Florian Wirtz is another player I’ll be watching closely.
Germany have used split squads during this international period, meaning Wirtz has now joined up for their final two fixtures.
He is in contention to feature against Serbia on October 1 and Greece on October 4.
And I think this could actually be a useful few days for him.
Let’s be honest, Wirtz hasn’t yet produced the level of performances Liverpool supporters were hoping for.
I’ve said that myself.
But I also don’t think we should be writing him off.
Not remotely.
He’s an outstanding footballer who is still adapting to a new club, a new manager and a different style of football.
A couple of good performances for Germany could be exactly what he needs.
Confidence is a massive part of football.
If Wirtz can go away, play without the pressure of Anfield and remind himself just how good he is, I’d be more than happy for Liverpool to benefit from that when he comes back.
Tsimikas has something to prove
Kostas Tsimikas is another player who has plenty to play for.
The Greek left-back is expected to be involved against Germany, having already made an impact during the previous round of international fixtures by providing the assist for Greece’s late winner against Serbia.
And I think Tsimikas needs a good international break.
He has had a difficult start to life under Iraola.
He lost his place to Milos Kerkez and his start against Fulham lasted only 45 minutes before he was replaced.
That’s not ideal.
But it doesn’t mean his Liverpool career is finished.
Far from it.
Kerkez has had some good moments, but I’ve already said that I think the left-back position is one area Liverpool’s opponents could potentially target.
Tsimikas therefore has an opportunity.
If he plays well for Greece and returns to Liverpool with confidence, he can give Iraola something to think about.
Competition for places isn’t a bad thing.
Liverpool need it.
Lewis Koumas and Wales
Then there’s Lewis Koumas.
I’m really pleased to see him getting opportunities at international level.
Koumas started Wales’ 1-0 defeat to Portugal earlier in the break and is in contention to start again against Denmark on Sunday.
He’s still a young player trying to establish himself, but these are exactly the experiences that can help him develop.
Liverpool have some really exciting young players coming through at the moment, and Koumas is one I want to see get more opportunities.
He’s not going to walk into Iraola’s first-choice attack because of the competition around him.
But every time he plays for Wales, he’s gaining experience of senior international football.
That’s only going to help him.
And then there is the bit nobody wants to think about…
Of course, there’s one thing all Liverpool supporters will be thinking about during the international break.
Please come back fit.
That’s it.
I don’t need anything else.
I want Van Dijk, Gakpo, Gravenberch, Wirtz, Tsimikas and Koumas to get valuable minutes for their countries.
I want them to play well.
I want Wirtz to score a goal and come back buzzing.
I want Gakpo to keep scoring.
I want Van Dijk to lead the Netherlands.
I want Tsimikas to put pressure on Kerkez.
And I want Koumas to keep showing that he’s ready for the next step.
But most importantly, I want them all back at Liverpool healthy.
Because the international break will soon be over and Iraola’s team will have some huge games waiting.
Liverpool’s next Premier League fixture is against Manchester City at Anfield, followed by a demanding run of fixtures that will give us a much better idea of where this new-look side is heading.
So there’s plenty at stake for Liverpool’s players over the next few days.
Some need confidence.
Some need minutes.
Some need to remind their manager what they can do.
And some are simply continuing their development.
I’ll be watching all of them.
But I’ll be watching Wirtz in particular.
Because if he can rediscover that confidence with Germany, Liverpool could have a very different-looking player when he returns to Anfield.
And that could be very important for Iraola.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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