Liverpool handed title blow with trio poised to miss Man Utd tie after FIFA rule change

In pictures: Norwich v Liverpool

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Liverpool have been dealt a major blow by FIFA’s latest ruling on players’ international obligations, which could leave them without a crucial trio for their crunch meeting with Manchester United in October. Rules which allowed managers to withhold players from joining up with their national sides, as previously exercised by Jurgen Klopp, have since been retracted.

FIFA’s latest ruling states that clubs can no longer prevent their players from leaving on international duty, even if quarantine is required upon their return.

Brazil face a triple-header of World Cup qualifiers in September and October, for which the squad has already been named.

Painfully for the Reds, three of their players have officially been included in Fabinho, Alisson and Roberto Firmino.

This could leave them without the spine of their squad for a number of important ties, with starting spots left vacant in goal, midfield and attack.

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The encounter with Manchester United, always one of the fieriest on the Premier League calendar, is scheduled for Old Trafford on 24th October.

Previous rules allowed clubs to prevent their players leaving on international duty if they faced more than a five-day quarantine upon their return.

As of April 2021, that rule expired, much to the inconvenience of club managers.

To compound the pain, the Daily Mail claims that players are unlikely to receive government exemptions when it comes to facing quarantine.

Liverpool may feel the brunt of the new regulations when it comes to the Brazil squad, but the effects are likely to be suffered in various corners of the Premier League.

Man Utd are set to be without Fred, Leeds United will lose tricky winger Raphinha, while Everton’s opening-day goalscorer Richarlison and Chelsea’s experienced centre-back Thiago Silva have also been included.

Manchester City will not get off scot-free either, with duo Ederson and Gabriel Jesus both called up.

On the bright side for Klopp, their Premier League rivals will also feel the effects of the new ruling.

Though arguably Liverpool will be hit the hardest given how many key players they stand to lose.

Other sides could yet learn their fate when it comes to the South American ties, with other national teams set to announce their squads over the coming days.

The September and October qualifiers could throw a major spanner in the works of the Premier League title race, which is expected to be closely-fought between four prime candidates this campaign.

Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man Utd all look strong on paper, so how they overcome the obstacle posed by the latest ruling could have its own say in the season’s outcome.

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