Liverpool face major concern as 17 players embark on international break

Liverpool are top of the Premier League going into yet another international break, thanks to their 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday night. Their fortunes were helped by both Manchester City and Arsenal dropping points, with Pep Guardiola's side losing at Brighton and the Gunners held at Chelsea.

Mohamed Salah continues to dominate the conversation as his contract situation remains unclear. Despite the speculation, the Egyptian isn't showing any signs that it is impacting his performances at Anfield after another goal and assist contribution against the Villans.

The 32-year-old will remain on Merseyside as Arne Slot's side begin their preparations for the resumption of the Premier League, when they travel to Southampton on Sunday, November 24. Salah has not been called up for Egypt with their qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations booked.

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The only blemish on the result was injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold with the Liverpool defender forced off in the first half. The 26-year-old had been called up to Lee Carsley's England side but it now looks like he won't be representing the Three Lions during the international break.

The Athletic reported on Sunday that the defender is confident that his hamstring injury isn't too serious and on Monday, Paul Joyce of The Times added that the right-back will be sidelined for a couple of weeks. He could be in contention to face Southampton with clashes against Real Madrid and Manchester City on the horizon.

Curtis Jones will be hoping to earn his first England cap after receiving his second call-up. He had been promoted during the last camp but had to withdraw due to personal reasons.

He could make his Three Lions bow against two Liverpool teammates as England round off their Nations League campaign against Greece and Kostas Tsimikas, and Caoimhin Kelleher's Republic of Ireland.

Liverpool's Dutch trio, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo, have all been called up where they will lock horns with Hungary, captained by Dominik Szoboszlai. Also captaining their country will be Scotland's Andy Robertson as they face two must-win matches against Croatia and Poland, they have just one point out of their opening four matches and face the risk of relegation.

Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister will all endure gruelling trips outside of Europe. The quartet are in respective World Cup qualifying campaigns with Japan sitting comfortable at the top of the group, after four matches.

Argentina have a three-point lead in the CONMEBOL edition while Colombia and Uruguay battle it out on November 16 as second takes on third.

Liverpool players on international duty

Kelleher, Van Dijk, Konate, Quansah, Robertson, Tsimikas, Alexander-Arnold*, Bradley, Endo, Gravenberch, Morton, Mac Allister, Jones, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Gakpo, Nunez. Beck, Nyoni, Gordon, Doak, Koumas, Figueroa.

*Trent Alexander-Arnold expected to withdraw with injury