Riccardo Calafiori Italy looks on, UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal First leg, Italy and Germany, San Siro Stadium, March 20, 2025, Milan, Italy.
Liverpool players are currently on international duty during this break.
Some fans would argue the international break came at the right time, while others will dread it. Liverpool have had a week of bad results. The reds faced Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle in the same week, with the potential of a treble on the line.
Liverpool won the first leg tie against PSG in France. The second leg saw the French side take an early lead at Anfield to force the game to extra time and eventually penalties. A heroic performance from opposition keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma during the shootouts saw the Ligue 1 leaders progress to the next round.
On Sunday, the reds suffered another shock defeat. This time, to Newcastle in the League Cup. After Liverpool beat the Magpies 2-0 in the league, everyone thought the same result would occur in the final. Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak put the game out of reach, before Federico Chiesa came off the bench to score a consolation.
Quiz: Can you name the team Liverpool sold these players to?
Liverpool handed advantage in Premier League
When the reds return to action after the break, they face Everton at Anfield. With Arsenal closing the gap to the top of the table, Arteta’s side are expected to push Liverpool all the way with 10 games to go. The Premier League may seem out of reach, but with Slot’s side looking sluggish, Arsenal fans believe they can mount a late challenge.
However, the Gunners have been dealt a huge blow. Their star defender Riccardo Calafiori went down with an injury and was immediately substituted in the second half of the Italy-Germany game. After the game Italy boss Luciano Spalletti said there was a problem with Calafiori’s knee:
“We still don’t know if he’s injured. Ricky feels something strange in his knee but we still don’t know.”
This unfortunate injury has handed Liverpool a huge boost. Arsenal have missed Calafiori’s attacking instincts from fullback. The defender has scored key goals in huge wins for Mikel Arteta. With how the injury looks, the Gunners might have to do without Calafiori for the rest of the season.
Reds have their destiny in their hands
With 10 games to go, anything can happen. The Premier League has been won or lost in similar scenarios. Arne Slot and Liverpool need to focus on not slip up. They will now have no distractions after exiting the Champions League. Playing in multiple competitions came with an unfortunate side effect for Liverpool as Paul Scholes revealed.
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