Internationals Part Two, Electric Boogaloo

By: Noel | November 14th, 2011

The international break’s half done, which is good. But that still means there’s a half left to go, which is rather less good. As always, you can catch all the week’s action on the usual streaming sites—MyP2P, StopStream, First Row Sports, ATDHE, etc.—if your local television options don’t have the match you want covered. And this, then, is what you’ve got to look forward to, plus what went down in last week’s fixtures…

Monday Friendlies

Brazil v. Egypt 5PM GMT/12PM EST

Lucas didn’t play in a 2-0 victory against Gabon last Thursday, rested by Brazil due to “muscle fatigue” in an attempt to insure the long-term fitness of a player who has been a near constant for club and country over the past 18 months. But with Egypt expected to be a tougher opponent—and with the match taking place in Doha on a better pitch than the crime against football in Libreville—Lucas and a number of other Brazilian regulars given last week off are likely to feature.

Tuesday Friendlies

Denmark v. Finland 7:15PM GMT/2:15PM EST

After beating Sweden 2-0 last week, Denmark continues the Scandinavian tour by hosting Finland on Tuesday. And after Daniel Agger came out of the lat match unscathed, it’s one more chance for Liverpool fans to nervously hold their breath. As Ed pointed out last week, for most a Danish friendly is a chance to wait for Daniel Agger to pick up an injury while Chrisitian Poulsen occasionally appears on screen, and no matter how things end up, getting from A to B is sure to be bad for your blood pressure.

Italy v. Uruguay 7:45PM GMT/2:45PM EST

After almost single-handedly beating Chile 4-0, Luis Suarez and Uruguay head across the Atlantic for an oddly timed prestige friendly against Italy at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico. Hoping for Suarez to sit after the boost he gave to Uruguay’s World Cup qualifying campaign—and after picking up a slight back injury—last week is probably too much to hope for, with the striker declaring himself ready to face Italy, but at least being back in Europe a week early should help prevent any timezone jet-lag fun come the weekend and Liverpool’s match against Chelsea. Also, since Alberto Aquilani has firmly established himself in Prandelli’s Italy side, those looking to continue last week’s theme of self-harm might find the opportunity to do so should the not-really-a-Liverpool-player-in-anything-but-a-technical-sense player do something noteworthy.

Germany v. Netherlands 7:45PM GMT/2:45PM EST

Kicking off at the same time as Italy and Uruguay, the week’s other big draw sees the Dutch heading to Hamburg in a match between what many would consider to be two of Europe’s top three sides. Dirk Kuyt started last week in a dull 0-0 draw against Switzerland, and chances are he’ll start again on Tuesday for one of the aforementioned top three sides in Europe. Meanwhile, at least Jordan Henderson is a regular starter for England’s U21 side. And as much as Kuyt’s been unfailingly professional at club level, it’s difficult to see him starting every match for the Netherlands while sitting on the bench most weeks at Liverpool and imagine a world where he’ll be at the club next year—or perhaps even past January.

England v. Sweden 8PM GMT/3PM EST

After winning the most important, monumental, poppytacular international friendly in the history of international friendlies against Spain at Wembley, England is set to host Sweden. As in the last match, Glen Johnson and Stewart Downing are likely to feature at some point for England, with Johnson in particular having made an impression as one of the best players on the pitch with a near perfect defensive performance against the world and European champions. Downing was decidedly less impressive when he came on to play the second half, though in the end England won the match and so everything’s puppies and sunshine. Unless they get whipped by Sweden now.

Wrapping things up with a player who doesn’t have a second match to play this international break, Craig Bellamy has returned to Liverpool after scoring to help Wales cruise to a 4-1 victory over Norway. Early goals from Bale and Bellamy allowed the Welsh to sit back and counter a side that never looked like a threat to get back into the match until well into the second half, though when Norway finally did get on the scoreboard, two late goals by Wales’ Sam Vokes put the game to bed. Elsewhere, Scotland also doesn’t have a second match, but neither Charlie Adam nor Danny Wilson took part in last week’s victory over Cyprus, and had there been a second game it’s unlikely either would have featured in any case.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: International Duty, Team News

« Weekend Guest Post: Kenny, Why Not (Insert Player/Formation Here)? A Look at the King’s System and Squad | Home | Suarez Injury Update, Questioning the King, and Other Tuesday Notes »

LouisvilleRed

So, if a fellow was looking to score tickets to a liverpool game for a reasonable amount. How would said fellow do such?
redtrev73

There's a local bed-and-breakfast on Lime St. called The Vines that sometimes hooks me up with tickets if I stay with them. Worth a go LouisvilleRed.
LouisvilleRed

Is The Vines also a bar? I see information about a place called The Vines on Lime St., but it alludes to it being a bar.
redtrev73

Yup, they do accommodation too.
Latortillablanca

make an 'x' on the left hand side of your mailbox with crimson chalk and wait for the call...
ShedYourYellow

I just have a lot of feelings regarding internationals, and most of them involve self-harm at the fact that Dirk Kuyt starts for Holland and not for us.
JPR

Bellers doing his best Luis impersonation. A leetle curler inside the post. Boys are finding the inside of the net and no posts. Let's hope the radar stays calibrated for Sunday.
Suarez from the car park...

hear hear...
Red2death

Bellamy is class.

He's not the best, but he's very consistently a very good player.
JPR

Loved watching Bellamy and Shearer at Newcastle. Couldn't believe Graeme Souness moved him to Celtic on loan. No way Bellers could put up with Souness's heavy handed management style. Always liked his fiery personality and competitive spirit. He'll do a job for us this season anytime KK calls on him.
Sandro

Few stories have just popped up online.. hoping they're legit, seems like it:

"Suarez took a knock against Chile and is not in the best shape," Tabarez said on the eve of the game. "He is getting better, but for the player, and for his club (Liverpool), it would make no sense to risk an injury, that is the way we see things."
Latortillablanca

tabarez is the business. so refreshing to have some logic as a national team coach (listening, van marwijk?)... plus that logical sense carries over into his team selection/tactics, uruguay have a serious shot at a cup final if that team is healthy by the time 2014 roles around... Plus, he gets high marks for that effortlessly graceful coif situation that only salt n peppered latino/italian dudes seem to be capable of...
Suarez from the car park...

Should be a good game, Italy v Uruguay. Shame he's not playing, would be great to see him in that game. Italy are always a tough nut to crack.
Suarez from the car park...

if it's not annoying enough having these internationals, we have the Uruguay and Holland/Germany game at the same time - the only vaguely interesting games tomorrow night.

Fifa are bunch of poppy-testacles.
Luis Suarez dentist

Please don't worry us with talk about Dirk leaving. How Downing and Henderson start everyweek and deadly Dirk doesn't is beyond me!

Still lets hope for a clean bill of health for Dagger, Kuyt and Suarez. Hey if we are really lucky maybe Downing will pick up a niggle! (Only way it seems he will be dropped!)
Purify_the_body

Did you watch England-Spain? I missed it but heard he was poor.
Luis Suarez Dentist

Yeah I watched it.In fairness to Downing it was very much a case of everyone behind the ball against a half interested Spanish team. However, on the few occasions he had the ball he gave it away and after one (failed) attempt to have a run at the Spanish defence, he spent the rest of the game in a shell.
James Tyrrell

Get Bellamy in the starting XI ! If not every week then at least every fortnight, he looks to be in similar form that he had been for City when he was on fire and their best player, I like Downing but players should be picked on form and Bellamy's has been better than Stewie's for club AND country over the last month...
And he just seems to give more of a shite you know??
Latortillablanca

lol, who the poulsen is 13 for norway in that game? fergie, sign him up!
Suarez from the car park...

he's almost in the same game.....
Waiting for Sterling

Ssshhhh, poulenitis is a real disease affecting real people.
DJ-Chutfield

Uncomfortable feeling in chest when January exit for Kuyt was suggested. SHUTUP, NOEL! Dirky's never gonna leave me! He promised he wouldn't hurt me like all the others... *sniff*
Red2death

Dammit, who suggested that? Kuyt's 31, and at the rate he's going he still has at minimum 5 good years left in him, if not 10. If Kenny's building for the next generation, it should start with Kuyt!
DJ-Chutfield

"And as much as Kuyt’s been unfailingly professional at club level, it’s difficult to see him starting every match for the Netherlands while sitting on the bench most weeks at Liverpool and imagine a world where he’ll be at the club next year—or perhaps even past January." Comical, over-the-top response to that line. I thought it was over-the-top enough for no one to take seriously, but I'll try harder next time. Maybe add a seppuku attempt.
Red2death

Oh it's serious alright. He promised me that too. Unless the two-faced bastard's got it in for both of us...
Noel

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic of not with the ten years thing, but with his fitness levels and injury record I really wouldn't be shocked to see Kuyt playing at a high level for five more years.
Red2death

Guilty as charged. I was being serious about 5 more years at a top level. As for 10, it's a bit of a stretch, but if Giggs is still playing now, and sports medicine just keeps getting better, I wouldn't necessarily scoff at Kuyt playing at 41. Joking, but not really...
Suarez from the car park...

It's great if he keeps his legs, perfect squad player once he can't do the every week games, especially if European footy is involved aswell - experience is essential there.

But his contract goes to the end of next season, and it'll be hard to imagine him getting more than 1 year at a time from now.

Likely have to extend it this summer if Kenny's gonna keep him (hence trying to get Hendo firing wide right).

Even if Hendo doesn't work, they'll probably buy another right sided guy to beable to take that position. Unfortunate truth of over 30 players under ruthless management.
Latortillablanca

his starts are bound to pick up as the season progresses, but as he slows down i cant think of a better 12th man for this squad... assuming we get a right sided fred astair in the summer.
NotTooXabi

Verbal analogy challenge:

The international break is to Noel as ____________ is to ______________.
ShedYourYellow

Doughnuts are to diabetics?
DJ-Chutfield

I'll do the east one. Hodgson is to Liverpool!
DJ-Chutfield

*easy. Can't even type correctly while taking the easy option. It's just been one of those days..
NotTooXabi

Sunlight is to a Hangover.
Latortillablanca

President Muffley is to Premier Dimitri Kisov.
NotTooXabi

White Bread with the Dr. Strangelove reference....tip of the hat, sir/madam.
Suarez from the car park...

Sunlight to a vampire, ntx.