While the international break is often viewed with a sense of dread by club managers, the latest round of fixtures offered plenty of reasons for cheer back at Anfield. Leading the way, Virgil van Dijk looked imperious as ever, while Florian Wirtz once again showcased why his stock remains sky-high on the global stage.
Yet, the headlines didn't stop with the marquee names. Beyond the star duo, four other Liverpool players spanning senior midfield anchors to bright academy talents delivered standout performances that will give the coaching staff plenty to think about ahead of the Premier League’s return.
With Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak having both suffered injuries during the first week of the international break, Liverpool fans are desperately praying that no more members of Andoni Iraola's squad return to AXA Training Centre with an issue, ahead of some huge Premier League games.
Well, six Reds were in action across Europe on Thursday, as the second week of this international window commences, so find out how they performed.
Greece vs Netherlands
The game of the night, from a Liverpool persuasion, was in Thessaloniki. Debuting in UEFA Nations League A, Greece came agonisingly close to a third successive victory in the top tier. Ivan Jovanović's team led Netherlands 2-0 at half time, but a goal a minute from the end saw the points shared. Kostas Tsimikas has now completed 90 minutes in all three of Greece's matches during this break, staking a claim to be his club's first choice once Andoni Iraola's team return to action.
On the flip side, Holland's goal back at Toumba Stadium was scored by Virgil van Dijk. The 35 year old's towering header from a corner got the comeback started. Sunday against Serbia in Eindhoven will see the centre-back become only the 11th Dutchman to reach 100 caps.
In terms of his club team mates, Ryan Gravenberch was rotated by Xavi, but replaced Quinten Timber at half time, while Jeremie Frimpong is yet to see a minute in this window, an unused substitute once again.
Florian Wirtz scores as Germany beat Serbia
Elsewhere, Liverpool fans are hoping that Jürgen Klopp can work his magic with Florian Wirtz and well, that might just be happing. At the third attempt, Klopp claimed his first win as die Mannschaft boss, beating Serbia 2-0 at the Allianz Arena.
On the hour mark, it was Wirtz who scored the second goal. He was played the ball just inside the area by Maximilian Mittelstädt, before balletically dancing around Srđan Babić and confidently slotting into Đorđe Petrović's bottom corner. This was a glimpse of what made Wirtz magical during his time at Bayer Leverkusen, a player we've almost never seen since. Thus, Kopites will be hoping he can bring this form with him when he returns to Merseyside. Either-way, that'll have given his confidence a major boost.
Lewis Koumas helps Wales claim historic win
Over in Cardiff, at the ninth attempt, Wales have won a match UEFA Nations League A level for the very first time. The Dragons upset the odds by coming from behind to defeat Norway 2-1; Craig Bellamy's team bouncing back following back-to-back defeats.
Interestingly, from a Liverpool point of view, Lewis Koumas led the line, putting in a serious shift before being replaced by Mark Harris in the 85th minute, earning a standing ovation. The 21 year old, who is just making his breakthrough into the Reds first team, is usually a winger, but is showing himself to be a serviceable number nine too, which could be very useful for Iraola, given the lack of depth behind Isak.
Alexis Mac Allister’s class Is permanent for Argentina
If there were any lingering doubts over whether Alexis Mac Allister has truly turned a corner, Thursday morning in Cordoba provided as clear an answer as you could hope for.
Fresh off four consecutive Premier League starts where he has comfortably looked like Liverpool’s most polished operator in the middle of the park, the 27-year-old took that resurgence onto the international stage with Argentina.
Operating in his usual understated, authoritative manner, Mac Allister was the pivot around which Lionel Scaloni’s side cruised to a 4-0 victory over Bolivia.
The standout moment arrived 19 minutes in, and it was classic Mac Allister. Receiving a sharp vertical pass from Cristian Romero with his back to goal, the midfielder didn't take a touch to settle himself or allow the Bolivian midfield to reset.
Instead, a cushioned flick with the outside of his left boot released Lautaro Martinez in behind the defensive line. It was quick, inventive, and executed with the kind of relaxed composure that made him so essential in his debut campaign at Anfield.
For Andoni Iraola, seeing his main midfield conductor operating with such rhythm will be music to the ears, particularly with the form Mac Allister has carried over the past month. After a tricky, fatigued spell last term, the World Cup winner looks back to his sharpest self—reacting faster, finding space easier, and controlling tempo.
He managed 73 minutes before being withdrawn with the job well done, ahead of further upcoming fixtures against Burkina Faso and Benin. With a massive Premier League showdown against Manchester City looming on the horizon after the break, keeping Liverpool’s premier playmaker fit and firing remains paramount. On this evidence, though, Mac Allister is well and truly back to his best.
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