The 2026 FIFA World Cup is well underway across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and it hasn’t been without its stories.
There was Vozinha’s shutout performance in Cape Verde’s draw with Spain — a display that saw the 40-year-old goalkeeper surge from 50,000 to 10 million Instagram followers within 48 hours.
Then there was Kylian Mbappe’s history-making brace against Senegal to become France’s all-time leading goalscorer. Still only 27 years old, you’d have to think he’ll leave quite the record to beat when he hangs up his boots for Les Bleus.
And, of course, Lionel Messi's unforgettable hat-trick performance against Algeria to draw level with Miroslav Klose as the top goalscorer in World Cup history. After getting off to a roaring start, the Argentine will almost certainly end this tournament as the World Cup’s best-ever goalscorer.
Among the top stories in the first round of games, Liverpool players have also been making their presence felt on the global stage. From Ryan Gravenberch's two-assist masterclass in Texas to Alexander Isak's three goal contributions in Guadalupe.
The competition started with disappointment for the Reds contingent as Japan captain Wataru Endo withdrew due to injury and subsequently retired from international football. But there are seven Liverpool players representing five nations in the tournament, so fans still have plenty to keep tabs on.
Here is how Liverpool's World Cup stars fared in their opening group-stage games.
Alisson Becker: 6.5/10 (Brazil 1-1 Morocco)
The first Liverpool star in action was Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker. The Reds No. 1 has been a reliable presence ever since arriving at Anfield in 2018, but he began his tournament with a moment to forget.
Alisson was caught out by Morocco’s Ismael Saibari after straying off his line in an uncharacteristic error of judgement that gave Morocco the lead.
To his credit, he didn't let the mishap define his evening and produced a moment of class deep into stoppage time. With Brazil clinging to a 1-1 draw, Alisson made a stunning double save to first deny Neil El Aynaoui's powerful long-range effort and then immediately repel the follow-up attempt and preserve a point for his country.
In a match where his Brazil team failed to live up to expectations, head coach Carlo Ancelotti will be relieved his goalkeeper maintained focus right up until the final whistle.
Virgil van Dijk: 7.5/10 (Netherlands 2-2 Japan)
Virgil van Dijk has just had his highest-scoring season for Liverpool with eight goals, and he’s carried that form into this World Cup.
In a sight that will be all too familiar for Liverpool fans, the centre-back rose in the box to head in for the Netherlands and open the scoring against Japan. To make it even sweeter for Reds fans, it was midfielder Gravenberch's pinpoint cross that provided the assist in Dallas Stadium. The Anfield connection came good in Arlington.
On what could be his final World Cup, the Liverpool captain showed that his attacking threat from aerial situations remains as potent as ever.
However, the Dutch defence as a whole put a blemish on the performance. The Netherlands surrendered a 2-1 lead and ultimately dropped points against a Japan side that grew into the game.
Van Dijk's overall display was solid, but he will need to do a better job of organizing things at the back in the Netherlands’ upcoming games.
Ryan Gravenberch: 8/10 (Netherlands 2-2 Japan)
If Liverpool fans spent parts of last season wondering whether Ryan Gravenberch's 2024/25 campaign was a flash in the pan, his World Cup opener offered renewed hope.
The Liverpool midfielder registered two assists. The first teeing up the aforementioned van Dijk header before providing the ball for Crysencio Summerville's goal.
He was consistently a dynamic and progressive presence in the Netherlands midfield, and it was the kind of performance that raises awkward questions about why that version of Gravenberch didn't show up more regularly at Anfield in 2025/26.
Regardless, Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman clearly trusts him with significant responsibility, and on the evidence of this performance, that trust is entirely justified. It was a statement opening night for the midfielder.
Cody Gakpo: 5.5/10 (Netherlands 2-2 Japan)
Gakpo is usually a strong performer for the Oranje, but he will have wanted more from his World Cup opener against Japan. The winger scored in all three Netherlands group games at Qatar 2022, but he struggled to replicate that sort of form in his first match here.
His best opportunity came in the first half when he received the ball in a promising position, but he sent his shot sailing over the bar.
He was substituted in the 85th minute with the Netherlands desperately chasing a winner, and although it wasn’t a damaging performance, it was far below the standards he has previously set.
The winger has earned enough credit in the bank with the Netherlands that he will have chances to improve upon this performance later in the tournament, as the Dutchmen go up against Sweden and Tunisia next.
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