Jurgen Klopp reveals Liverpool will REFUSE to let his stars play for red-list nations

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool will refuse to release any of their players for international duty later this month if they have to quarantine for 10 days on their return to the UK.

Liverpool have the Brazil internationals Alisson Becker, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino in their squad as well as Portugal’s Diogo Jota.

Both Brazil and Portugal are among 33 nations currently on the Government’s Covid-19 red list, meaning anyone who enters the UK must legally quarantine in an approved hotel room for 10 days. 

Jurgen Klopp has risked a club-versus-country row by saying any Liverpool players who represent countries on the UK’s Covid red list won’t be allowed on international duty

Brazil have World Cup 2022 qualifiers away to Colombia – another red list country – on March 26 and at home to Argentina on March 30.

Portugal have a home World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on March 24 before away games with Serbia on March 27 and Luxembourg on March 30.

Despite the risk of igniting a club-versus-country row, Klopp made absolutely clear that no Liverpool players will be allowed away for international duty if they have to quarantine on their return.

Speaking ahead of Thursday’s Premier League meeting with Chelsea, Klopp said: ‘The [Premier League] clubs agree we cannot just let the boys go and then sort it out when they return with a 10-day quarantine.

‘I understand the needs of the different FAs but this is a time when we cannot make everybody happy.

‘We have to admit that the players are paid by the clubs and we have to be the first priority. I get the need with the competitions in the summer but you cannot make everybody happy right now.

‘We cannot let the players go and have them come back and stay in a quarantine for 10 days.’

More to follow.