Liverpool manager Arne Slot faces a new injury setback following a busy night of international fixtures. Several Reds players were in action for their respective countries on Thursday, with mixed fortunes across the board.

The most concerning development involved Alisson Becker, who was forced off 12 minutes from time during Brazil’s 2-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Colombia. The Liverpool goalkeeper suffered a suspected concussion following a collision with former Tottenham Hotspur defender Davinson Sánchez.

As a result, Alisson is now a doubt for Brazil’s crucial clash against Argentina in the early hours of next Wednesday (UK time). However, Liverpool’s next match—the Premier League Merseyside derby against Everton on 2nd April—offers time for recovery.

Elsewhere, Luis Díaz equalised for Colombia, but a stoppage-time winner from Vinícius Júnior sealed victory for Brazil. Both nations remain on track to qualify for next summer’s tournament.

Meanwhile, Wataru Endō helped Japan secure a 2-0 win over Bahrain, making them the first team (after hosts USA, Canada, and Mexico) to officially qualify for the World Cup.

Konaté Substituted but Avoids Injury

In Europe, focus turned to the UEFA Nations League, where Liverpool were given a scare as Ibrahima Konaté was substituted at half-time in France’s 2-0 quarter-final first-leg defeat to Croatia. However, head coach Didier Deschamps later clarified that the change was tactical, stating:

"I know it's tough, but I saw him struggling, not at his best, so I preferred to substitute him."

Elsewhere, Cody Gakpo found the net for the Netherlands, who were held to a 2-2 draw at home against Spain. Virgil van Dijk, who captained the Dutch side, expressed frustration after the match:

"The way we didn’t win is very annoying. They dominated possession, but we defended well and gave little away. We have the quality to challenge any team. Today was a good step, and now we must continue building on it."

Injury Concern for Gravenberch, Robertson Leads Scotland to Victory

Ryan Gravenberch, who sustained an injury in Liverpool’s League Cup final defeat to Newcastle United, had already returned to Merseyside for assessment before the international break.

Meanwhile, Andy Robertson captained Scotland to a 1-0 win over Greece in their UEFA Nations League A/B play-off first leg. Kostas Tsimikas featured for Greece in the match, played in Piraeus.

In another play-off encounter, Dominik Szoboszlai was part of the Hungary squad that suffered a 3-1 defeat to Turkey.

Meanwhile, in the B/C play-off first leg, Caoimhín Kelleher started in goal for the Republic of Ireland, helping them overturn a 1-0 deficit to claim a 2-1 win in Bulgaria.

Quansah Dropped from England Squad

Jarell Quansah will not feature for England in their opening World Cup qualifier against Albania on Friday evening, having been omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

At Academy level, Liverpool’s teenage forward Josh Sonni-Lambie came off the bench for England U18s, who drew 2-2 with Czechia in a friendly.