The international break in football is something that not many football fans around the world particularly enjoy.
The level of football played can be rather dull in comparison to the level that is continually experienced with each matchday of the Premier League, which is a surprise given that nations are typically looking to qualify for the next major summer tournament.
Although it can be argued as a great way to bet on football as there will be some top opportunities to turn a profit, there are also a number of concerns that football clubs around the world will have concerns with, as well.
One concern is injury as players could potentially pick up a serious knock that could potentially disrupt things for their club, as well as their own personal seasons, whilst the travel is not always beneficial.
With the sport being truly global, there are clubs within England that will have internationals that will need to go to the other side of the world and potentially play in matches that are meaningless, or perhaps were possible to skip as the nation should be able to cope without them.
However, recent developments in the world have meant that quarantine is a factor that needs to be seriously thought about by clubs and players now, with some having to go to destinations that the United Kingdom will deem unsafe and will force a period of isolation once an individual returns.
Liverpool are one of the football clubs that could potentially be impacted by these rules, as they have a number of different stars that could compete for their respective nations when the next international break takes place in a destination considered to be on the government’s red list.
Those stars include individuals such as Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Alisson Becker and Fabinho, with Egypt and Brazil blacklisted.
Liverpool appear to have taken steps to try and combat any disruption that this could cause Jurgen Klopp and his side by joining forces with a number of other big European clubs in refusing to release their players for the break if they have to go to a country where they will then need to isolate on their return.
This could, though, have a serious impact on the relationship of some of their players, as some footballers will feel that representing their country is the greatest honour that they can have within their sporting career, regardless of how many times that they have managed to achieve that accolade before.
In fairness to the Reds, it seems they are willing to be cooperative with the Egyptian and Brazilian FAs, but it seems they want a compromise from the two nations.
For Salah, Liverpool have already decided to write to the Egyptian FA where they have expressed that they would permit their talisman to play in the fixture against Gabon on September 5 as it is not a country where he would need to exclude himself when he returns, but they do not want him to play or travel to Egypt to play against Angola in their first game on September 2.
In regards to Brazil, it is understood that the game against Peru would be the biggest cause for concern regarding Firmino, Fabinho and Alisson, with the game not taking place until the early hours of Friday, September 10, British time.
This is an issue, as the Reds will face Leeds United at Elland Road on September 12 in the late Sunday slot, but the trio would potentially not be back in time, whilst also being tired from playing in the game and travelling from South America.
If they were to travel in the first instance, a 10-day quarantine period would need to be observed anyway, which would see them miss the trip to the Whites, as well as miss the first UEFA Champions League group match of the season as well as their match at Anfield against Crystal Palace.
Salah, if he were to appear in Egypt, would be ready to return for the Champions League opener as well as the game against The Eagles, due to the games being played at earlier dates for his homeland.
It is understood that Liverpool would be more than happy to let their players go if the rules were not in place, but it remains questionable in regards to how long these regulations will be in place for.
This could have a huge impact on morale and relations between club and players, though, as there is another international break set to take place in October and November, as well.
This means there are even more potential opportunities whereby tempers could flair and relationships can dwindle, which is something Klopp would rather not experience as they look to challenge for the Premier League title once again.
The Reds have started off in top form as they have managed to pick up two wins from two and keep a 100% record, but their next game – a home tie against Chelsea on Saturday – will provide them with the biggest challenge of the season so far.
The Blues also have a 100% record, having dispatched both Crystal Palace and Arsenal in successive fixtures.
