Internationals Preview: The Ninth Circle of Mid-Week Friendlies

By: Noel | February 28th, 2012

International friendlies: For when you’re in the mood to nervously watch your club’s players in meaningless games where the best prize to be won is not getting injured. If you’re the sort to put national loyalties ahead of club, then a few of today’s games arguably serve the purpose of keeping teammates familiar as the summer’s European Championships approach—though even that seems a stretch when most on display won’t be participating in that or any other summer tournament. So with that in mind, here’s to every Liverpool player ending the day having won the aforementioned best prize…

Romania v. Uruguay 1:30EST/6:30GMT

Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates have both been called up for Uruguay’s trip to Bucharest as part of a full-strength side including the likes of one time member of Liverpool fans’ wish lists Diego Forlan and current member Edinson Cavani. Romania finished third in their Euros 2012 qualifying group behind Bosnia and Herzegovina, and as such wouldn’t be expected to put up much of a fight against the Copa America champions. So Liverpool fans can watch while crossing their fingers they’ll see a few more of the Uruguayan players in red next season while hoping that the ones currently in red come back in one piece.

Turkey v. Slovakia 1:30EST/6:30GMT

In a match between two sides that just missed heading to the Euros, Martin Skrtel and Slovakia will be in Istanbul for some reason or other. Probably something to do with making somebody at FIFA, UEFA, or one of the involved federations a few extra pounds, marks, or yen. Assuming he makes it through the game fit, about the best thing Skrtel could take away from the trip would likely be a visit to the Blue Mosque. Both because it’s one of the world’s most stunning pieces of architecture and also because the game he’ll be playing in is completely meaningless.

Denmark v. Russia 1:45EST/6:45GMT

Daniel Agger has withdrawn from the Danish side that will face Russia due to a possible cracked rib. It hasn’t been confirmed by the club yet, but if it’s the same sort of injury he suffered in the fall and not simply a muscle strain or something else less serious he can be expected to miss between three and six weeks of action. No matter what it turns out to be, though, it’s unlikely to be a case of him having re-aggravated the old injury, as if he has indeed suffered a second cracked rib this season it is more likely to be a different one than before.

Switzerland v. Argentina 2:30EST/7:30GMT

Maxi, Maxi Rodriguez, run round the Stade de Suisse for me. Or something. He’ll likely find himself starting on the bench when Argentina visit Bern to play the Swiss today, though that he would even be included to that degree is a bit of a surprise for the player who has found himself on Liverpool’s bench more often than not this season and hasn’t been called up to the national team since the 2010 World Cup. And if he does as expected end up stuck on the bench then he could always sneak out at the half to visit Bern’s bear pit. Because Bern has a pit with bears in it in the middle of the city, and that’s pretty damn cool.

Slovenia v. Scotland 2:45EST/7:45GMT

Charlie Adam is expected to start for Scotland when they face fellow Euro 2012 non-qualifiers Slovenia in Koper. On paper it’s one of the less thrilling matches of a rather thrill-free Wednesday of friendlies on the final day of February. Which means it’ll probably end up being be a game for the ages where Adam puts on a world class performance that makes fans forget his stinker at Wembley on Sunday. Or it’ll just be dull and he won’t.

Wales v. Costa Rica 2:45EST/7:45GMT

After starting on the bench against Cardiff on the weekend, Craig Bellamy and his knees will captain Wales in their life or death struggle to top storied rivals Costa Rica in a hugely meaningful match. Except that everything after “will captain Wales” is the opposite. In other news, Craig Bellamy will start on the bench against Arsenal on Saturday.

More seriously, though, despite that the game itself matters little and could prove frustrating for Liverpool fans worried about the push to finish in the top four, it’s likely to be hugely meaningful for Bellamy as it will serve as the memorial game for Gary Speed. Moreover, it has been speculated that with Wales set to miss out on the upcoming Euros it could mark the 32-year-old’s final international match. Put those together with the fact that Bellamy will be captaining the side in Aaron Ramsey’s absence and it becomes a lot harder to turn your nose up at, even if it is a poorly scheduled and entirely meaningless game for two nations without a competitive tournament on the horizon.

England v. Netherlands 2:45EST/7:45GMT

Glen Johnson has withdrawn from the English national team after training with them on Tuesday, though by all accounts his injury is minor and the decision to miss today’s game is largely precautionary. Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard, and Steven Gerrard’s groin, however, are all expected to play in Stuart Pearce’s first game sort of in charge as temporary manager of the English national team. Pearce has yet to reveal who will captain the side with John Terry stripped of the captaincy, though the favourites are Gerrard and Tottenham’s Scott Parker. And no matter who the captain is, it’s expected that Pearce will approach the senior match against the Netherlands similar to the way he did pretty much any opponent with the u21 side he previously managed, and as such there will be lots of good old fashioned route one football to make the Glory of ‘66 brigade happy.

Meanwhile for the Dutch, after finding himself benched in favour of Jordan Henderson on Sunday against Cardiff, it’s likely Dirk Kuyt will get the call to start once again at the international level. Seeing as Henderson wasn’t called up to for England, the transitive properties of the equation suggest the Netherlands don’t stand a chance in the day’s prestige friendly unless they can reverse the polarity of the neutron flow.

Spain v. Venezuela 3:30EST/8:30GMT

Pepe Reina won’t start. For those still interested in schadenfreude Fernando Torres definitely won’t start, either, since he was left out of the squad entirely. And for those interested in reading tea leaves ahead of the Euros, it’s a chance to gauge how a Spanish side without either the misfiring Torres or the injured David Villa sets up in attack.

As usual, if your local provider isn’t giving you the match you want you should be able to find a stream at a site like First Row Sports, Wiziwig, or ATDHE, and also as usual we’ll probably be keeping half an eye on one game or another over on the Liverpool Offside Twitter. So, you know, try to enjoy the games. A few of them might even end up being slightly better than no football at all.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Match Preview: Liverpool v. Brighton, 02.19.12

Category: International Duty, Miscellaneous, Team News

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Suarez from the car park...

What bothers me is that Saturday is a huge game for us and half our lot will be flying back and playing their 3rd game in 7 days with nothing more than some travelling on Friday.
I can't see us having a good high tempo game on Saturday.
redtrev73

With all due deference to any British Bloodhound/Spirit Of '66 Englishmen, I must say I do enjoy the whole England soap-opera. Some of the more rabid hacks were actually frothing at the prospect of Pearce naming Parker as captain..?! They all seem to NEED it so much.

As an Irishman and an honorary Scouser, I am utterly indifferent to what decisions they make, once they entertain me. Ironically, one of the only Liverpool natives who does put Club England ahead of LFC is Stevie. This is yet another kick in the nuts for a guy who has always sweated blood for the Three Lions. For the record, Even Cashley, Shrek or fat Frank have more of a claim than Scotty-boy.

So, I feel for Stevie, whilst chuckling into my sleeve at Psycho as England NT Boss. On Twitter, some have tried to rationalize it and say that Gerrard won't start after the exertions of Sunday but I'll be surprised if he doesn't, knowing the guy's passion for the white shirt.

It really is "Dave Bassett: England Manager" stuff...but Dave was a Scouser so he'd definitely give the armband to Stevie!

Best of luck to Trap's boys tonight against the Czechs, even if I am finding it hard to give a shit about the same 11 that struggled into Euro 12, struggling yet again in a rigid and dogged system.

Oh, by the by, one of the standout moments of the post-match highlights was Carra handing Sky hack Andy Burton his ass on a silver platter. Many would have allowed themselves to be patronised and written-off as Burton tried to do, telling Carra he seemed "sentimental" and asking him if he was winding down his career.

Not our Jamie. Question his ability and ambition? In front of his kid? On the iconic Wembley turf? During the celebration of a first cup win in 6 years?? Fuck. Right. Off. Quick as a flash he reminds Burton of his sexist abuse of female lino Sian Massey from some months back. "You're lucky to have a job after that Wolves stuff", says 23 and walks away with his lad to enjoy the cup win. Top man.
jpr

I did watch the entire 36 minute video Noel posted of Sky's post match coverage of the Carling Cup win. Enjoyed seeing the players reactions to the match and their thoughts about the significance, etc. My first exposure to "Sky" GB footy coverage and I now have a pretty good feel for why you guys over there get so irritated at their shite reporting. Between Andy Burton asking Carra if his career is winding down and Jamie Redknapp questioning Luis "character" due to not being in the first 5 PK takers and other Redknapp inane musings, you would think Sky has a vendetta againts Liverpool. I would have expected Redknapp to be thoroughly supportive and delighted for the guys after winning their first trophy in six years instead of being so quick to be critical. I kept hoping for Fowler to speak up and put Redknapp in his place. Felt bad for Carra getting blindsided like that by Burton. He was obviuosly upset with the question, his voice started cracking. Some class by Burton, eh? Questioning his place after winning his first trophy in six years. I thought it was perfect that Carra walked away from the jerk in the middle of the interview. Didn't catch the Sian Massey reference on first watch. Will have to watch it again. The Liverpool players should now just refuse interviews by either Burton or Jamie "dumb ass" Redknapp. And Kenny should most definitely stay away from Geoff Shreves. Nothing good will come from him.
Ryan

I think we can write Jamie Redknapp off as just a dumbass, because he's hit or miss with the Liverpool support. In the game against Manchester United, he was quick to call Rio's tackle a red card, and argued with Gary Neville about it. It sucks that Gary was right and Rio got the ball, but still, I enjoyed seeing Jamie keepin' it Red.

And that's why I say he's a dumbass. Probably didn't think much of the Suarez character comment, and was really just trying to bring to light the fact that Suarez should be at most number 4 on the penalty list. Afterall, Redknapp has earned a bit more grace than Burton could possibly ever conjure up.
jpr

It's easy to ignore a dump quip or two if I know his heart is in the right place. We don't get him on Sky Sports over here and this is the first time I've seen him doing analysis. Burton has no excuse for the classless attack on Carra. He gets and deserves no passes.
PDubz18

Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Watching that, Downing has it in him to be a terror. We need to find him a little consistency in finishing by Suarroll and he's gonna start racking up the assists.
Ed

Now we just hope that the rest of Liverpool's matches can somehow be played in a montage format.
Ryan

You're just a box of lawls. Love it love it love it.
alcatrazzledazzle

We should just start dosing our players with that potion from Shakespeare that makes people appear dead but only for a temporary amount of time, conspicuously aligning the unfortunate demise and subsequent miraculous resurrections of all of LFC's internationals around each and every friendlies week
Latortillablanca

having an international break right after the emotional metamorphasis that was sunday (and most of monday) is akin to the dj followin up n****s in paris with some bruno mars... i mean srsly... how these muthafuckas gonna go "grenade" on us right now... can't we at least transition to some mildly unacceptable but still quasi-inspiring mack miller or sommatt?? can't we jus meet halfway at "party on 5th ave"??? no? youre gonna shove psycho leading out his troops with scotty "poops" by his side down our throats?

someone needs to assassinate fifa and just start over. or not. id be fine with not. jus leave us the cups, the rest can go away.

thank the gods for the greatest nba era ever....
KC

I didn't think I could manage to care even less about Friendlies but these matches only spike in me a fear of any Liverpool players getting injured.
Latortillablanca

that's why agger snapped his own rib last sunday. better to injure yourself in proper red colors rather than whatever the fuck that mother flow bullshit red is that denmark uses...
KC

Oh man what if Steven Gerrard's Groin acts up I will rage quit
Barry Milner

I'm sure he'll be fine, but I won't be if it does... bloody fuming if anything else happens!
DJ-Chutfield

I have to admit, I am a small petty man. I literally lit up when I found out Torres was left out of the Spain squad altogether. Literally, my face got 3 shades lighter.
Barry Milner

I actually thought about this moment the moment we got rid of him, just came sooner than I thought... hahahaaa, loving it!!!
Latortillablanca

that is petty. so long as petty means completely acceptable, if a bit understated, behavior.
ejbauer11

Understated, indeed. Pretty sure I cackled maniacally, eliciting odd stares from co-workers. Thank god they didn't see me rubbing my hands together and mumbling to myself thereafter, as well.