Liverpool will be without their Brazilian contingent for the game against Leeds United on Sunday, it has been confirmed
The Reds were one of a number of Premier League teams, along with Leeds, Manchester United, Manchester City, Everton and Chelsea who refused to release their Brazilian stars for international duty as they would have had to quarantine on their return to the UK.
FIFA do hold the right to punish teams for refusing to release players, though, with a rule that stipulates that they can ban clubs from using their stars for five days after any international break. This has been enforced, meaning Alisson Becker, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino won’t be available for the trip to Elland Road. Unsurprisingly, this has not gone down well with fans on Twitter:
It is a joke
— John dillon (@Jdillonlfc) September 8, 2021
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant
— Sirah 🦋 (@lfc_ali21) September 8, 2021
I hate international breaks man
— #FSGOUT (@LFCaby) September 8, 2021
This is a joke…
— RC (@Ese_Raul98) September 8, 2021
One of the reason I was screaming for Liverpool to get a couple of decent signings just for these unexpected events. Although I don't think Firmino's absence will be missed but Fabinho and specially Alisson not playing is a big blow.
— Amiya Ranjan (@am10752) September 8, 2021
4-3 scoreline again
— Derrick Mugabi (@mugabi678) September 8, 2021
Better not to release them anyway they would fly back Friday and spend 10 days in airport 🛬 quarantine so would miss 2 PL games and Milan in the CL 🤷♂️
— Gavin 🤪 (@Gavstar79) September 8, 2021
This international breaks🤦
— Stevo (@cheskobaby) September 8, 2021
Brazil FA fault
— argi 🇮🇩 (@argiiiiii) September 8, 2021
It means Caoimhin Kelleher is likely to start in goal this weekend, with Thiago the favourite to come into the midfield. Firmino’s hamstring injury means he was already expected to miss the match anyway.
