Where are our players this week?

[SB]

A good article from the ofal. A busy week for our lads

WHERE ARE OUR PLAYERS THIS WEEK?
Michael Lynch 10 February 2009
With the 2010 World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, Liverpool's international stars are away on international duty this week to play in friendly matches across Europe, South America and Africa.
Full back Andrea Dossena is in line to keep his place in the Italy side for the match with Brazil which takes place at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, while Lucas and Diego Cavalieri will be watching with interest after missing out on a call-up for the Selecao.

The in-form Martin Skrtel continues to shine at international level and should start in Bratislava when his Slovakia side host Ukraine. Javier Mascherano, the newly appointed captain of Argentina will lead his side out against France in Paris for only his second match as skipper under new boss Diego Maradona while Daniel Agger is expected to start for Denmark, as they travel to the EURO 2004 winners, Greece.

Meanwhile, Yossi Benayoun takes the captains armband in Tel Aviv when Israel entertain Hungary, although reserve striker Krisztian Nemeth is out with a fractured cheekbone.

Goalkeeper Peter Gulasci, currently on-loan at League One side Hereford United, has been awarded a call-up to the Hungarian U-20 squad for their match against Italy and fellow young starlets David Ngog and Damien Plessis have been named in the France U-21 squad to face Tunisia, while the Spanish duo of Mikel San Jose and Daniel Pacheco will play for the U-21s and U-18s respectively.

Dutch winger Vincent Wejil and Danish shot-stopper Martin Hansen have earned a place in their countries U-19s. Martin Kelly, who recently made his debut appearance in Liverpool's first team against PSV has been recognised by England U-19 coach Brian Eastick for the clash against Spain.

Sami Hyypia will earn his 96th cap for Finland when they travel to Portugal, where he will face the task of marking World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo.

Arguably, the most exciting of all the friendlies sees Spain and England clash in Seville. The Spaniards are looking to extend their 28 match unbeaten run, with Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera and Fernando Torres all included in the 20 man squad. However, Steven Gerrard will miss the match after picking up a hamstring injury against Everton last week, keeping him sidelined for three weeks.

Morocco's brightest young talent Nabil El Zhar will look to impress once again after another call up for the match against Czaech Republic.

Finally, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel are likely to feature for Holland when they travel to North Africa to face Tunisia.

Stay tuned to Liverpoolfc.tv for news on how each of our international stars fares in their upcoming games.

[lickedlollipop]

Sami Hyypia will earn his 96th cap for Finland when they travel to Portugal, where he will face the task of marking World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo.

c'mon sami, own that crying face****

[Kev_81]

No Lucas for Brazil

[bobbyfallon]

Sami Hyypia will earn his 96th cap for Finland when they travel to Portugal, where he will face the task of marking World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo.

c'mon sami, own that crying face****

break the ****ers leg would help

[Jack D Rips]

Not one player involved with a British or Irish team apart from Kelly with English U19s

[Fierce]

Not one player involved with a British or Irish team apart from Kelly with English U19s

Think that says more about the quality of British footballers rather than our lack of them, unfortunately

[Mattshark]

Think that says more about the quality of British footballers rather than our lack of them, unfortunately

Yep, we are falling away from quite a bit of Europe in terms of producing good young players. We too stuck down by outdated and now ineffective training techniques.

[nineteen]

although reserve striker Krisztian Nemeth is out with a fractured cheekbone

Another injury? FFS ... he's only just come back to full fitness and gone on loan.

[BigChief]

Yep, we are falling away from quite a bit of Europe in terms of producing good young players. We too stuck down by outdated and now ineffective training techniques.

Five a side football pitches are 60 quid an hour.
11 a side footballers still play hoofball, right the way up to championship level.
Kids keep getting kicked out of indoor football halls (we do anyway).
Football pitches in parks are woeful.

So much for grass roots. England won't win the world cup in the next 40 years that's almost guaranteed.

[RedReet]

Be interesting to see how Italy actually utilise Dossena and how he copes with Alves, Ronaldinho etc.

Think I might Sky Plus it.

[SB]

Another injury? FFS ... he's only just come back to full fitness and gone on loan.

He got injured in his first match for Blackpool if I;m not mistaken

[SB]

break the ****ers leg would help

If he was to do that I think another 12 month contract extension would be in order

[Cormack74]

Be interesting to see how Italy actually utilise Dossena and how he copes with Alves, Ronaldinho etc.

Think I might Sky Plus it.

Didn't see the game. how did he get on ?

[cled the red]

Didn't see the game. how did he get on ?

Came on as sub with 15-20 mins to go. I didn't watch it either Auf Wiedershen Pet was on ITV4 - classic TV!!!!!

[SB]

Several Liverpool players were in action for their countries last night.

Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina and Alvaro Arbeloa all played some parts in Spain’s 2-0 victory over England in Seville last night. Alonso had a helping hand in setting up David Villa’s goal for the Spanish.

Yossi Benayoun was Israel’s hero of the night as he scored the only goal of the game to help his country to a 1-0 victory over Hungary in Tel Aviv.

Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel played 45 minutes each in Holland’s 1-1 draw against Tunisia.

David Ngog scored France U-21’s goal in their 1-1 draw against Tunisia U-21s.

Finland lost 1-0 to Portugal, with Sami Hyypia playing the full ninety minutes.