Coutinho and Lallana were on song during the international break as they played a pivotal role to secure wins for their countries. However, Estonian defender Ragnar Klavan had a torrid game for his nation.
Liverpool saw a total of 12 first-team players called up for international duty. The trio of Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Gerogino Wijnaldum particularly impressed whilst representing their country.
New Liverpool recruit Ragnar Klavan did not have the best of games on his return from injury as his Estonian side went down 5-0 against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Take a look at how all the players fared for their respective countries:
Coutinho comes off the bench to impress in both games of Brazil
After enjoying a rollicking start to the 2016/17 season, Liverpool playmaker Philippe Countinho carried his good run of form to the international stage. The Brazilian performed beyond expectations in both of his side’s World Cup qualifiying matches.
In the first game, against Ecuador, it was due to the cheekiness of the 24-year-old that the opposition defence found themselves in all sorts of trouble. The Liverpool midfielder combined well with Neymar and Gabriel Jesus, and guided his side to a 3-0 victory.
Even in the next game against Colombia, Coutinho came on in the 66th minute and put up a spirited performance.
Rating: 8.5/10
Lallana scores his first international goal while Sturridge and Henderson fail to impact proceedings
Adam Lallana grabbed the victory for the Three Lions in the dying stages of the game against Slovakia. The game was primed to end in a stalemate, but the Liverpool winger stepped up to the occasion and scored a crucial goal in injury time.
While Lallana impressed in Sam Allardyce’s first game as England boss, his Liverpool counterparts Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson didn’t have a great time.
Sturridge was brought on as a late substitute to break the deadlock, but he looked far from convincing. Henderson, on the other hand, started the game against Slovakia but failed to pull the strings in the midfield for the Three Lions.
Ratings
Adam Lallana: 7/10
Daniel Sturridge: 4/10
Jordan Henderson: 5/10
Wijnaldum scores in Netherlands’ 2-1 defeat to Greece
Despite not known to be a prolific goal scorer, Dutch midfielder and new Liverpool recruit Georginio Wijnaldum managed to find the back of the net as his national side took on Greece.
However, it was the Greeks who came out of the game with the win as Netherlands failed to muster a win, continuing their barren run of form. The North-Western European nation did not qualify for Euro 2016 and did not begin their World Cup qualifiers to the best start either.
Rating: 6.5/10
Klavan’s Estonia fall prey to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ragnar Klavan had the worst possible return from injury as his Estonian side was on the receiving end of a battering from a formidable Bosnia and Herzegovina outfit. Two goals from Emir Spahic and strikes from Edin Dzeko, Haris Medunjanin and Vedad Ibisevic were enough to get the job done.
It was an ordinary performance by Klavan, especially given that he expected to be a regular in the Liverpool setup. It is essential for the defender to step up his game before he can face the music in the Premier League.
Rating: 3/10
Origi starts, but Mignolet found himself on the bench for Belgium
Divock Origi started for Belgium as they took on Spain in a friendly contest.The Liverpool striker struggled in front of goal and found his side on the losing end. His Merseyside teammate Simon Mignolet had to be content with a spot on the bench.
In the Red Devils’ next game against Cyprus, Origi as well as Mignolet were unused substitutes.
Rating
Divock Origi: 4/10
Simon Mignolet: N/A
Others
- Dejan Lovren was back in the Croatia squad, but did not play a single minute against Turkey.
- Danny Ward was unused in Wales’ 4-0 win over Moldova.
- Emre Can withdrew from the Germany squad due to a foot injury.
- Marko Grujic plays two games for the Serbian under-21 side.
