Liverpool FC International Roundup: Coutinho, Lallana shine while Klavan endures a difficult outing

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

TOPSHOT - Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at White Hart Lane in London, on August 27, 2016. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at White Hart Lane in London, on August 27, 2016. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

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

England's midfielder Adam Lallana (L) and England's forward Daniel Sturridge (R) take part in a training session at the Urca military base in Rio de Janeiro on June 9, 2014, ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)
England’s midfielder Adam Lallana (L) and England’s forward Daniel Sturridge (R) take part in a training session at the Urca military base in Rio de Janeiro. (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

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

ST LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 01: Ragnar Klavan #17 of Liverpool FC battle for the ball with Mohamed Salah #11 of AS Roma during a friendly match at Busch Stadium on August 1, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. AC Roma won 2-1. (Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images)
Ragnar Klavan #17 of Liverpool FC battle for the ball with Mohamed Salah #11 of AS Roma during a friendly match at Busch Stadium on August 1, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. AC Roma won 2-1. (Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images)

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.

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