The Japanese International, Takumi Minamino won’t be needed for as many international matches as some of his European teammates in the early months of the new Premier League season.
The 2019/20 Premier League champions, Liverpool won’t have to lose Takumi Minamino to international duty during most of the early months of next season in a boost to Jurgen Klopp.
With the 2020/21 season already looking packed, many top clubs are facing up to the possibility of their players heading off to play for their countries in the middle of a tight schedule.
UEFA insists its National League program goes ahead with double-header matches in September, October, and November. This means Europe’s top players will be needed by their countries as their Premier League and Champions League campaigns begin.
The first Nations League round of matches is currently set for September 3-8th-the weekend the Premier League begins for the vast majority of clubs.
The Champions League group stages are then set to kick off on 20th October, with six sets of matches taking place over eight weeks.
As with many other top clubs, Liverpool will be concerned about their player’s welfare as they jet off around the globe. Although, their reliance on non-European players might be an advantage.
With no international fixtures scheduled for African stars, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita for the rest of the year, the trio will be more refreshed and ready to play in club matches.
Meanwhile, in South America, there are no Brazil World Cup qualifiers scheduled until October. This means Alisson, Fabinho and Firmino will stay on Merseyside for the opening weeks of the season.
Now, Minamino has been told that while Japan does have friendlies against Malaysia and Lebanon in the pipeline, he won’t be needed for any World Cup qualifiers in October and November.
Those matches have now been put back as confirmed by FIFA on Wednesday.