O CAMPIONE: the one and only Liverpool FC!

WORLD CUP WATCH:
Fingers crossed!


Following four very impressive wins in a row, momentum is (hopefully temporarily) curtailed by a fortnight's international break. Let's look at where on earth the players are jetting off to and the potential impact on our next match, away at Fulham as we look to go back to the top of the table. Thankfully this is the final international break of the season!!


NATIONAL EXPRESS Hope in time for tea!
ENGLAND (Gerrard)

A friendly on Sat v Slovakia may mean he faces up to Skrtel but hopefully Capello may take the chance to look at alternatives to Gerrard or restrict him to just 45 minutes' action. The following Wed, Eng than take on Ukraine at Wembley, a game he is sure to feature in given his current form. Hopefully, Capello plays him in a more advance role alongside Rooney. Thankfully, not many air miles for the Eng skipper: a bonus as he faces his hearing for an affray charge the day before the Fulham game.


EASYJET A quick trip - no worries!
SLOVAKIA (Škrteľ)
Friendly at Wembley followed by a tricky grudge qualifying tie in Prague v Czech Republic. An early sending-off and some rest would be ideal!

NETHERLANDS (Kuyt, Babel)

Two relatively straight-forward ties at home versus Scotland and Macedonia await the Dutch duo Easy on the Air Miles!

NORDIC AIRWAYS Clocking up some air miles!
DENMARK (Agger)
A potentially beneficial trip for Daniel. The Great Dane has a chance to build up match fitness after his injury: away at Malta and at home to Albania.

FINLAND (Hyypiä)
A tricky qualifier in Cardiff v Toshack's Wales followed by a pointless friendly in Norway (local pride excepted).

ITALY (Dossena)

The full-back has dropped behind Fabio Grosso in the Italy set-up but could feature on Sat away at Montenegro and the Wed after against Ireland for Trapattoni's homecoming!

LONG HAUL Jet lag?!
SPAIN (Reina, Arbeloa, Alonso, Riera, Torres)
A double-header v Turkey. "The Benitles" jet home for a home tie on Sat then travel to Turkey next Wed for a tough trip - a lot of Air Miles, hopefully only Torres will feature which means he can build up match fitness and not pick up yet another injury. Fingers crossed for Torres!!!

ISRAEL (Benayoun)
The Israeli captain has been called up despite not featuring since he sustained a hamstring tear in the build-up to the Real Madrid return leg. He returned to light training last week and if fit, he could feature in a top-of-the-table double-header v neighbours Greece. A lot of Air Miles and a risk considering the nature of his injury: Rafa will be concerned.

ARGENTINA (Mascherano)
The toughest, longest schedule possible! A home tie v Venezuela on Sat then an arduous trip to the dizzying heights of La Paz to take on Bolivia a week on Weds. The high altitude and lack of oxygen will test the stamina of the Argentine skipper who is sure to feature in both ties for Maradona's men. Definitely draining - very unlikely to feature at Fulham after this schedule!

MOROCCO (El Zhar)
Two World Cup qualifiers for Nabil: a home tie v Gabon and a tough trip to Angola next Tues.


CONCLUSION
Probable team (4-2-3-1) v Fulham:
Reina; Aurélio, Skrtel, Carragher, Arbeloa; Lucas, Alonso; Riera, Gerrard, Kuyt; Torres.

Despite fans' concerns over rotation at this key stage, it is hard to believe Mascherano will be fit and fresh enough for a traditionally tricky trip to Craven Cottage so I foresee a recall for Lucas (who is again out of Dunga's Brazil squad). Man Ure will have the same issue with Tevez and won't have the luxury of resting him as Rooney's banned and Berbatov's injured.

Hopefully, only Skrtel of our first-choice back five will be in action. In midfield, Lucas will be fresh after a fortnight at Melwood whilst fans must hope Riera and Alonso are rested for Spain. Up front, Kuyt, Gerrard and Torres hopefully return unscathed from international duty and ready for the run-in.