World Cup provides serious boost for ‘phenomenal’ Liverpool player, should push him to another level

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Liverpool have a few players in their squad who can use the upcoming World Cup as motivation in 2022. The Reds should benefit.

It’s the World Cup later this year – and that’ll take some getting used to. The late tournament dramatically changes how the season will feel, cutting it in half and asking some significant questions.

Pep Lijnders recently discussed the situation. He believes Liverpool – and others – will have to treat the season as ‘two sprints’ rather than a marathon. There’s no time to slowly generate momentum, essentially, as it’ll disappear with the tournament.

But momentum still has a part to play as individually, players need to generate it for the tournament. Certain players aren’t guaranteed starting spots for their national teams, after all, and must use the first half of the club season to earn their spots.

Liverpool have a few players who tick that box.

Liverpool players at the World Cup

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson labelled Alexander-Arnold ‘phenomenal’ for his passing ability this week. His defensive work, however, has him down the pecking order for England.

Now, despite his struggles, we still firmly believe that Alexander-Arnold should be the first-choice for his country. He has plenty of convincing to do late this year, though, if he’s to earn that spot.

Liverpool should benefit. Alexander-Arnold has to go all-out to earn his World Cup spot and we hope that means seeing another level out of him.

Fabinho

Fabinho is arguably the world’s best holding midfielder but there’s a debate, certainly. Unfortunately for him, one of the players in that debate is Casemiro – his compatriot. It means the Liverpool star doesn’t hold down his national team place.

But with Casemiro joining Manchester United, perhaps Fabinho can usurp him with Brazil. Who knows how that transfer will work out, after all? Some top form from Fabinho for Liverpool could easily get him the spot.

Alisson

As with Fabinho, Alisson is unfortunate that one of his chief rivals as the world’s best is also Brazilian. Manchester City’s Ederson challenges the Liverpool star for a starting spot.

But it’s very close between the two of them. Some sparkling form between now and the World Cup could easily put Alisson in goal for the tournament.

Diogo Jota

Jota is certainly going to the tournament and may well play every game. Portugal do have plenty of quality forward players, though – he’ll want some good form to guarantee himself a key role.

Plenty of goals between now and then would certainly do that. Jota will have eyes on a top World Cup and a chance to announce himself on the world stage truly. Good form over the next few months is vital to allow for that.

Joe Gomez

Gomez is an interesting one. If not for injuries over the last two years, he’d be an absolute certainty at the heart of England’s defence. After all, he was a regular in the title-winning Liverpool side of 2020.

But those injuries very much did happen. England, though, haven’t established a settle defence in that time and won’t for the World Cup. It opens the door for Gomez to recapture his place.

Injuries to Ibrahima Konaté and Joel Matip hand him a chance. Let’s see if he takes it.