Trent Alexander-Arnold shines but Darwin Nunez and two more Liverpool players face problem

Thoughts turn back to the Premier League for Liverpool this weekend as the international break comes to a close.

The Reds will hope the temporary halt hasn’t disrupted their momentum as they look to continue their perfect start under Arne Slot. The Dutchman will be aiming to add Nottingham Forest to his list of victories on Saturday.

Slot will have one or two concerns on the injury front heading into that game, with doubts over Alexis Mac Allister emerging and Curtis Jones aiming for a return after missing the last two games. Federico Chiesa, meanwhile, has been hard at work in training as he looks to make his first appearance for the club.

Not only that, but Slot may have some new worries regarding some of his players after the past few days. Liverpool.com takes a look at the Reds’ winners and losers from the international break.

Winners

After nearly four years of being messed around by England, Trent Alexander-Arnold was finally given his opportunity in his rightful position. With the Gareth Southgate era over, England interim boss Lee Carsley saw fit to install the Liverpool vice-captain at right-back, and he showed exactly what the Three Lions have been missing for years.

Alexander-Arnold’s performances against the Republic of Ireland and Finland will have done his prospects with the national team the world of good, and the debate on his best position must surely now be over. He can return to Liverpool full of confidence.

So can Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch. The former continued his fine form for the Netherlands with another goal against Bosnia, which will have sent a timely reminder to Slot about his capabilities as he aims to dethrone Luis Diaz on the left.

As for Gravenberch, his stock just continues to rise after a superb start to the season. Having earned yet more plaudits on the international stage, he’s now become one of the first names on the teamsheet for Saturday.

It’s been a good break for Jarell Quansah too. Back with England’s U21s after his first call-up to the senior side during the summer, he picked up the player of the match award against Northern Ireland on Friday before helping the Young Lions to a 4-1 win over Austria on Monday.

He’s also shown plenty of maturity in his response to Slot’s ruthless decision to substitute him against Ipswich on the opening day. The 21-year-old has certainly done his hopes of returning to the side no harm.

Though he almost certainly won’t be starting on Saturday, and he’s surely now in his final year at Liverpool after admitting he wants to leave the club, Caoimhin Kelleher has surely boosted his hopes of becoming a No.1 elsewhere.

Even in defeat to England, the 25-year-old produced a fine display, and once Giorgi Mamardashvili arrives at Anfield, the Irishman should have clubs lining up for his services.

Losers

Ibrahima Konate would have probably preferred it if the first international break of the season had been skipped this year. Having won his place back alongside Virgil van Dijk at club level, the 25-year-old also earned his spot back with France.

Things certainly did not go to plan against Italy though, with Konate slated for his performance in a 3-1 defeat. He would subsequently be left on the bench as France returned to winning ways against Belgium – he likely won’t suffer the same fate back at Liverpool this weekend, although he will be under more pressure to perform now.

Harvey Elliott’s chances of winning his place back in the side haven’t been helped. Having ended last season in fine form and ahead of Dominik Szoboszlai in the pecking order in midfield, the 21-year-old has had to be patient as the Hungarian has found himself back in favor under Slot.

The international break could have been a chance for Elliott to send a reminder to his new head coach, but he unfortunately had to pull out of England U21 duty due to injury before he could even kick a ball in anger.

Elliott though will get more opportunities at international level soon though. The same can’t be said for Darwin Nunez.

The striker is serving a five-match ban for his part in the brawl with fans following Uruguay’s exit at the Copa America during the summer. Had he not jumped into the crowd that night, he might well have had a chance to send a message to Slot, having only been handed cameos against Brentford and Manchester United so far.

Considering he won’t feature in the next international break either, Nunez needs to grab his chance whenever it arrives with the Reds and prove why he should be starting again. What feels like a make-or-break season for him has not got off to a great start.