Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino face a real race against time to be ready for Liverpool’s clash with Manchester United as they return from South America in the international break.
The duo will only return to Melwood on Thursday, with the crunch Premier League fixture at Anfield taking place at 12.30pm on Saturday.
Liverpool sit seventh in the table and already seven points behind United – who are level on points with Manchester City at the top of the league – and will be desperate to record a much-needed win against Jose Mourinho’s men.
But key duo Coutinho and Firmino may struggle to be 100% ready for the match due to their international exploits.
The pair are both expected to be in action against Chile for Brazil’s final World Cup qualifier in Sao Paulo – which finishes in the early hours of Wednesday morning UK time – before jetting back to Britain in a private jet.
Brazil have already qualified for the 2018 tournament in Russia so Jurgen Klopp will be hoping that the duo aren’t over-exerted by national team boss Tite.
United right-back Antonio Valencia is in a similar position as he travels back from Ecuador, but Mourinho could call upon Ashley Young or Matteo Darmian to deputise if needs be.
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