The five Liverpool stars who need the international break to save their careers at Anfield - opinion
03/19/2025 11:00 AM
The first international break of 2025 takes place in the football world this week.
Liverpool enter it in the worst way possible having been knocked out of the Champions League last week before losing to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.
It is uncertain whether the break comes at a good or bad time for the Reds as many of their stars might have wanted to put the week right as soon as possible.
Arne Slot’s men are back in action against Everton on April 2 with the Merseyside derby set to be another difficult task for the Premier League leaders.
The Dutch coach will be hoping that all of his players return injury-free and that stars such as Trent Alexander-Arnold are fit for Liverpool selection again. While the international break could also provide some players with the confidence boost they need to help save their careers at Anfield.
With that in mind, here are five Liverpool stars who could do with a good international break to help boost the remainder of their 2024/25 campaign.
Luis Diaz
With a contract expiring in 2027, Fabrizio Romano stated this week that there is a possibility that Luis Diaz will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
The Colombian has been a key part of Slot’s squad this season featuring 42 times for the Reds, producing 13 goals and five assists.
Liverpool fans expect more from a winger with the talent of the Colombian star as he has scored just two goals in his last 12 Premier League matches.
Diaz is also a key player for his country and with Colombia taking on Brazil and Paraguay over the next two weeks, the 28-year-old could do with a goal or two to boost his confidence ahead of his return to Liverpool.
Darwin Nunez
This season has been a struggle for Darwin Nunez at Liverpool and the striker needs a good international break as much as anyone in the Liverpool squad.
The 25-year-old has not been trusted fully by Slot and it has resulted in Nunez being expected to leave Liverpool this summer.
Nunez could possibly save his Liverpool career with a positive end to the campaign, but that will need to start during the international break.
The Uruguay international is the main goalscorer for his nation and the Reds star will hope to have a big impact on his nation’s games against Argentina and Bolivia over the coming week.
Diogo Jota
Unlike Nunez, Slot seems to have a lot of faith in Jota but the Portuguese star did not reward his coach for it last week as the 28-year-old had two poor performances against PSG and Newcastle.
Just like his fellow forwards, the former Wolves star faces an uncertain future at Anfield and there is a chance he could depart the Merseyside club at the end of the season.
Jota is not expected to start for Portugal during their two games against Denmark but the Liverpool star will look to have an impact when called upon as the forward needs to find a way to get back to form in front of goal.
Wataru Endo
Arne Slot has praised Wataru Endo on several occasions this season but the Dutch coach does not seem to trust the Japanese star when it comes to starting the veteran star from the off.
The current international break is important for the midfielder as he needs to get more minutes into his legs as the 32-year-old will be required if anything happens to Ryan Gravenberch.
Endo is expected to leave Liverpool at the end of the season but if he chooses to stay, Japan’s games against Bahrain and Saudi Arabia could provide the midfielder with the platform to impress Slot throughout the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign.
Harvey Elliott
Harvey Elliott is part of the England U21s squad who will take on France and Portugal over the coming week and the Liverpool star enters it on the back of some good form.
The midfielder scored the winner in Liverpool’s recent 1-0 win in the Champions League against PSG, before providing an assist for the Reds’ only goal in the Carabao Cup final.
The Englishman is another player Slot does not seem to fully trust, hence why he has received just 583 minutes of action throughout the campaign.
The 21-year-old could do with two good games with England to help provide a platform to save his Liverpool career as it does not look good for Elliott heading into next season.
