Internationals Preview: Weekend Qualifying and Friendlies

By: Ed | September 1st, 2011

charlie adam With the drama of the past few days behind us, focus begrudgingly shifts towards the meaty part of the international break and a full slate of matches for Liverpool’s internationals. It’d be nice if the end of the window was closely followed by a match for the club—it’s not a completely new-look squad, but it has the feel of some sort of fresh start, and a chance for renewed optimism after a relatively disappointing end to the summer’s activities.

Instead we’ve got Lithuania facing Liechtenstein and Georgia squaring off with Latvia, which is, you know, just like watching Liverpool. Or nothing like it. Either way, there’s a few names to catch over the next couple of days in matches slightly more appealing than the aforementioned pair, so it’s worth taking a look at what we can expect. As usual, there’s plenty of different ways to catch the weekend’s action, with Fox Soccer Channel, ESPN, and Sky Sports carrying coverage in their respective regions, and the usual streaming sites—MyP2P, StopStream.tv, ATDHEnet.tv, and FromSport.com—will be sure to have all you need.

Anyway, the goods:

Friday Euro Qualifiers:

Ireland v. Slovakia 7:45PM BST/2:45PM EST
Netherlands v. San Marino 7:30PM BST/2:30PM EST
Bulgaria v. England 7:15PM BST/2:15PM EST
Wales v. Montenegro 7:45PM BST/2:45PM EST

Martin Skrtel and Slovakia will have one their biggest matches of the qualifying campaign tomorrow, traveling to Dublin to face Ireland in a top of the table clash for Group B. With Russia hosting Macedonia in a match that should be an easy three points, it’ll be important for Slovakia to come away with something tomorrow. That sentiment’s not lost on Skrtel, who’s got his sights set on taking a point away from the Aviva.

Holland have far and away the easiest fixture, as San Marino travel to the Netherlands on zero points and with a -33 goal differential. They’ve yet to score, and in the reverse fixture the Dutch hung five on their hosts, with Kuyt netting a first-half penalty to open the scoring. I’d be surprised if he saw much action tomorrow, as this is the perfect time for Bert van Marwijk to bleed a few of the new names in his squad up front, particularly with the chance for PSV pair Georginio Wijnaldum and Jeremain Lens to feature in front of their club’s fans.

Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard missed out on the next biggest match in Football Association history, but Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll both made the trip to Bulgaria ahead of tomorrow’s match. Given his form to start the season, you’d think Downing’s a lock, and Carroll could get the nod up front alongside Wayne Rooney. With some help from Wales, England could push to the top of Group G, but they’ll also need help from England, a side that’s proven to be their Achille’s heel for half a century.

New/old/new boy Craig Bellamy could provide that boost for Capello’s boys, but Wales are yet to earn a point in what’s been a disappointing qualifying campaign. They’ve only found the net once so far—Gareth Bale leveled things early in the 4-1 loss to Switzerland, and they’ll need a much improved performance to get a result.

Friday Friendlies:

Ukraine v. Uruguay 7:00PM BST/2:00PM EST
Spain v. Chile 7:45PM BST/2:45PM EST

Both Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates are in the squad for the Copa America champions, who travel to Kharkiv to face next summer’s co-hosts. International duty of any kind has more significance for the Uruguayans, so barring any fitness concerns I’d expect to see both get minutes. Which isn’t a terrible prospect, as Suarez could probably use some match fitness and, at least for those of us who only caught glimpses of the Copa, it’s a chance to pay attention to Liverpool’s promising new central defender.

In a rematch of last summer’s round of 16 clash, Pepe Reina could see time in goal as Spain take on Chile in St. Gallen. Probably worth watching to listen to the endless droning about the infighting in the Spanish squad because Barcelona and Real Madrid are both so emo, and it may or may not have all been caused by Jose Mourinho once again acting like a fucking jackwad. So yeah, go Pepe.

Saturday Euro Qualifiers:

Scotland v. Czech Republic 3:00PM BST/10:00AM EST

Charlie Adam and Danny Wilson are both in the Scottish squad for Saturday’s lone Euro qualifier, with the former given a chance to contribute after missing out the last time these teams met. The hosts can climb within two points of their visitors tomorrow with a win, and with the Czechs out of action until they face Spain in October, Scotland could find themselves in the second spot with wins tomorrow and Tuesday against Lithuania.

That’s your Liverpool-related football fix over the next few days, then, and there’s more to follow when the week kicks off with Lucas and Brazil facing Ghana in London. It’s not ideal, but there’s at least enough to carry us through to the run-in for next Saturday’s trip to the Britannia. National pride and etcetera.

In the meantime, if you’re still trying to wash clean the stank of the transfer window, try purifying yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka:

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: Euro 2012, International Duty, Miscellaneous, Team News

« Poll: Rate Liverpool’s Transfer Window | Home | Shankly’s Birthday, Downing’s Ambition, and Other Friday Notes »

Guest

Arbeloa simulated and got Spain a penalty for the win. Then acted like a scumbag and started a fight at the end. All of this just made me hate Arbeloa.

Pepe acted like a peacemaker. Class act, that guy.
AustinRed

Yeah, that was definitely one of the poorest 5-minutes stretches I've seen for a player.
Lis

Yeah, Pepe was like a boss, trying to break up the fight. The Barca/RM players are probably more used to brawls during a match but Pepe would have none of it.
Ryan

Chile vs. Spain is what I'll be watching. Sanchez vs. his Barcelona buddies, Chile without Bielsa, Rematch from the world cup? Awesome.
Guest

Worth noting that at 11pm EST there is, without a doubt, the most important international game of them all: Costa Rica versus the USA Fightin' Klinsmanns! Get excited, people.
Ryan

It had better be exciting because of all the different players he SHOULD call up. Maybe Stuart Holden will be called up once he is healthy again...
Guest

No doubt Stu will be First XI once he is fit. Fits in perfectly as a deep-lying playmaker next to a DM like Edu or Beckerman or someone like it. Stu should have been first choice in the World Cup, but, you know, daddy's little boy was first choice and all.
poorscouserbobby

...and Holden was broken. Thanks Johnny Evans.
Guest

Yeah, t'was a shitty challenge. Could've used Stu in the Gold Cup. From what I understand, he's close to full 90 minute fitness now and could be back in Bolton's lineup soon, so that's nice.

This is completely off topic, but I'm something of a PSU grad, so I thought I'd ask before next week: you a Crimson Tide fan at all?
Ed

I'm interested to know how you can be something of a PSU grad.
Guest

Now that you mention it, that was an unnecessary and improper use of an idiom, especially when one considers that I was claiming to be edumacated. You win, Ed.

Next time you misspell a word in a post, or misplace an apostrophe, I'm going to be on you. Like white on rice.
NotTooXabi

Home-grown (8)
Johnson, Carragher, Downing, Gerrard, Spearing, Carroll, Bellamy, Jones
Squad (11)
Agger, Enrique, Lucas, Adam, Kuyt, Suarez, Skrtel, Aurelio, Maxi, Reina, Doni
U21 (11)
Kelly, Flanagan, Wilson, Coates, Robinson, Shelvey, Henderson, Wisdom, Coady, Suso, Sterling

Can someone check my John Henrarithmetic? Is this the 25-man squad (Actually 19 + 11 U21s)?

...with that in mind, a few points brought to you by Captain Obvious Services, specializing I'm Doing Fuck All at Work Today:

Space - Loads of flexibility come January (and next May if/when European football is back on the calendar). With no real concerns for HG-rule, additions over the next 12 months should be solely focused on moving to the next level on the pitch.

U21 - How about this for an U21 line-up? Would you pay to watch this group get a run in either a League Cup or early FA Cup fixture?

Kelly - Coates - Wilson - Flanno
Wisdom - Coady
Henderson - Shelvey - Sterling
Suso

3v3 - Besides the deep English/Welsh/Scottish core (18*), how about the Spanish/Portuguese-speaking contingency (9)? How about a "3 v 3 Inter LFC Tournament"? Who emerges victorious?

1. England "Old" Boys: Gerrard, Downing, Johnson
2. Stick it up your Union, Jack: Bellamy, Wilson, Adam
3. Euro's Last Hope: Kuyt, Agger, Skrtel
4. Iberian Delight: Enrique, Suso, Reina
5. Jogo Bonito: Suarez, Lucas, Maxi
6. The Kids in the Hall: Shelvey, Henderson, Sterling

---

*Included the maligned Brad Jones, an Aussie who has spent 10+ years in England.
Suarez from the car park...

Suarez Suarez

Suarez Gerrard Lucas Suarez

Gerrard Coates Agger Carra
Reina

bench
Suarez Suarez Suarez Suarez Suarez Suarez
Ryan

ooor check this out(not exactly all U21):

Flanagan--Kelly--Wilson---Robinson
-----------Spearing-Coady----------
-----Henderson---Shelvey----Sterling
-------------Suuuuuuuuuuuso--------

I'm a big fan of Kelly making the Center back jump some day.

Joga Bonito Tres gets my vote (i know I just put 2 languages together but whaturrr). Defense, Attack, and Maxiiimusss!!
Ismael Jawad

That's one tidy post right there, almost too tidy. I'd put my money on the England "Old" Boys beating the Jogo Bonitos in the final. If they don't, I can always put the blame on the manager, who'd be non-English
of course.

The U21 squad seems quite alright as well. However, I'd switch Suso for Adam Morgan given that he isn't a striker.
Latortillablanca

so who has the better shot at pro success, michael ngoo or adam morgan?
Ismael Jawad

In all fairness, I think Morgan will be the one making the grade in the end. He's been dubbed the new Robbie Fowler and his scoring record until now is second to none. Ngoo on the other hand didn't impress me that much but to his defense I only watched him thoroughly while he was with England at the U-20 World Cup. Of course, I'd love them both to be part of the Liverpool setup in the near future.
Suarez from the car park...

4 simulcasts - the perfect excuse to build the basement entertainment studio with 4x 50" screens, finally. Better be quick.
Wonder if my little nephew will miss his digger.........
Ryan

You haven't convinced him to watch the games with you? Be the better uncle/aunt..?
Suarez from the car park...

how many aunt's do you know that go by the name jonny????
Ryan

my Disqus picture is of an owl. Does that mean my head can rotate all gross like?

Yes. Yes it does.
Suarez from the car park...

Do you have green vomit too? Ouch, stop slamming me on the ceiling.
Suarez from the car park...

So, we've only got 4 games to watch simultaneously tonight. Great. Can't you do something about that Ed?

ps. it's goal difference, not differential. That's something on a truck that does the bit that indicators can't do when you go round corners. Either that, or it's the intelligence gap between you and the Mrs when she's reading the map and you go around the wrong corner. Something to do with corners anyway, which brings me onto Charlie Adam....does he have a differential too? Is that why he does the corners?
Ismael Jawad

LucasLeiva87 #HappyBirthdayBillShankly

I'd idolize a player like Poulsen if he made such a tweet, let alone someone like Leiva.
Happy Birthday to the great Bill Shankly and YNWA Lucas Leiva.
Ryan

Oooh he only did it because someone else on twitter told him to. Someone should test the players and see if they actually know when his birthday is...
Ismael Jawad

How about a drop quiz once they're all back from international duty?
redtrev73

Well in, Ismael. Top man.
Ravenilli

As much as I like to cheer on the Liverpool players when they are playing internationals but in this case Martin Skrtel you can fuck off. Ireland all the way with the 3 points.
Suarez from the car park...

And you mean that in the best possible taste off course?
Ravenilli

Of course wouldn't be malice in anyway at all.
redtrev73

What's your take on Trap, Ravenilli? Would like to see a bit more flair myself but the rigid 4-4-2 seems to be effective enough I guess. Glad to see Long get his start but harsh on Doyle to be dropped.
Ravenilli

Just as a update for you Long won't be taking part in the game as he has a strain so Kevin Doyle will be partnering Keane up front.
Ravenilli

Trap is the usual Italian type manager likes to keep things tight from the front to the back. Would like to see a bit more flair myself also but you can't lose games if the opposition can't score against you. Ireland will always get opportunities to score also so really can't complain so far about Trap bar his brutal English. Yeah great to see Long getting a start I think he is a great player but I would have preferred to have seen Robbie Keane dropped before Doyle as I think Keane has kinda lost it. Hopefully he'll prove me wrong and score tonight.
Latortillablanca

yo, since did adam switch allegiances to sweden? i can understand wanting to play with Ibracadabera, but that's a bit drastic...
Ryan

Actually he got loaned out to the yellow submarines 0_0
CheekyFellow

Interesting tidbit: Charlie Murphy is 52 years old. He barely got into stand-up when he was 40.
Latortillablanca

cuz he was busy keepin eddie's ass outta trouble - that was not a walk in the park during the delirious/raw years...
damu

Off topic but these days I am getting confused what exactly I am
supporting. I had no home team to support and only used to watch
international matches. Then I fell in love with Liverpool with that
Gerrard monster volley against West Ham. Then I fell in love again with
the awesome drubbing at the Toilet. The out-of-the-blue moments of
Gerrard, the pure strike force of Torres, the vision of Xabi, the sheer
class of Aquilani, the shouting and last-ditch tackles of Carra, the
presence of Dagger, the tattoos and volleys of the Tattooed One, all
these made me fall in love with Liverpool every time I watched the team.
More recently the sheer joy on the King's face when we scored a goal,
the fans singing, and of course the phenomenon that is Lucas all bring
me closer to something. But most of what made me love Liverpool are
people. And as seen recently, they have a tendency to leave. I am now
totally confused on what exactly I am in love with and what I am
supporting with such fervour. It is a heady feeling nonetheless. YNWA
redtrev73

Hey damu. For me, a battle-weary old codger of 37, the club has always been encapsulated by the talent, passion and philosophy of Shankly and Dalglish. We are so lucky to have The King in-situ at the moment. The club is healing itself and moving forward. And by the by, there's a good Shanks vid I just saw (which can be viewed free at the mo on the offish site) to celebrate the great man's birthday.
paul

Don't forget Paisley! He was the man behind Shankly's coaching and was rather successful in his own right. And unlike today's successful managers, Paisley was humble and dignified.
brother jon

damu, (as in blood?) - it hurts to say goodbye to the ones you love eh? i feel you, but it'll be ok. they'll always come and go. what should endure is the Liverpool Way- (and right now we're back on the way), it'd be a bad move to bale now. so Don't Go! Agger & Coates will be on next season.

p.s. - i'd be (literally, and embarrassingly) more than happy to share my understanding of the liverpool way if you're interested.
damu

I wouldn't even dream of baling out!!! I had plenty of opportunities last season when we were at our depths and somehow it brought me closer. I would be delighted to understand the Liverpool Way as I have heard a lot of it, maybe following this club already has ingrained me with a few parts of it but still I am not aware of what exactly it is. Up up and above...
lfc4eternity

Hi Damu....I'm stuck in defining the Liverpool Way...WOW!....but it seems you have it my friend.
We can all disagree on players, systems and wonder why some of our favourites leave...I'm still gutted about Sir Roger! (Yes, I'm THAT old!)....not to mention Keegan and then Kenny rolls in, then Rushie goes, then Aldo comes, then Rushie returns (Apparently Italy 'Is a bit like a foreign country'), then Aldo goes....then Kenny goes and now Kenny's back....
The list is endless.....the moments, good and bad are on an even longer list (god bless 96) but what remains is faith in your extended family. YNWA
Happy birthday Shanks...you made me happy too!
brother jon

my bad, i mistakenly read a past tense in to your love for LFC. as you were.
CheekyFellow

I hate this sh*t. I remember when I was a kid, all I had to watch were international matches, and loved it. Now I can't stand them.

Especially when the world cup is on, I'm always surrounded by casual fans who try to explain the 4-2-2 formation to me.

Oh, I guess it'll be good to watch Coates.
Ed

Joke's on them anyway, they've forgotten two outfield players.
Latortillablanca

No, you see, the KEY is when you get the ball, its best to either Score or pass it to the guy that Scores - geddit?
Ryan

But what if he's offsides? How does he know he's not offsides?

what's offsides?
Tropics Reds

*crosses fingers* - no injuries please!
Nic

Denmark aren't playing until Tuesday, so hopefully, barring incidents in training, Danny's fit and injury free until possibly the first half on Tuesday evening!

Having said that RB's & Stevie's groin a side [not sure a grown man should say such things I'm liking the general robustness of the current squad.

Fingers, toes, groins and anything crossed until Wednesday
Suarez from the car park...

Groins are key, never forget the groin. don't ever go out without at least one, more if you can, and if you do, pretend you have one by not crashing hopelessly to the floor.
Latortillablanca

groins, robustness, fingers, toes... man, you's a Freak Nic! ;)
Ed

You just had to go and say it, didn't you?