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The latest Internationals round of World Cup qualifiers brought a busy and rewarding night for several Liverpool players. Monday’s fixtures saw the Netherlands and Germany secure their places at next summer’s tournament, while Northern Ireland recorded a narrow win. Across these matches, Liverpool’s representatives stepped up with goals, assists, leadership and key defensive work. It was a night that showed their quality on the international stage and highlighted how central they are to their national teams. This round up walks through each player’s performance and why their contributions mattered so much.
Gakpo Leads the Way as Netherlands Cruise to Qualification
Cody Gakpo has been in good form for Liverpool this season, and he carried that confidence straight into the Netherlands’ 4-0 win over Lithuania. It was a match the Dutch needed to win to confirm their place at the top of Group G. They did it with style, and Gakpo played a huge part.
He started the match and stayed on for 79 minutes, during which he delivered exactly the sort of influence Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman counts on. His first big moment came from the penalty spot. Gakpo stepped up with no hesitation and placed his penalty into the net to give the Netherlands a comfortable edge. It was a calm finish that showed how composed he has become in high-pressure situations.
His impact did not stop there. Later in the game he turned provider, setting up Xavi Simons with a well-timed pass that opened the door for another goal. Gakpo’s awareness and decision making helped take the match away from Lithuania long before the final whistle. He linked up well with the Dutch attackers and kept finding space in the final third, which made him a constant problem for the Lithuanian defence.
Beyond the goal and assist, Gakpo’s overall play stood out. He pressed hard off the ball, carried possession with purpose and showed the confidence that Liverpool fans have seen grow over the past year. It was a performance that underlined why he is now viewed as a reliable core piece in the Netherlands team.
Van Dijk Breaks a National Record While Keeping a Clean Sheet
While Gakpo made the headlines for goals and assists, Virgil van Dijk quietly put together another commanding defensive display. The Netherlands defence never looked threatened, and Van Dijk controlled the back line with the authority expected of him.
The clean sheet was important, but what made the night even more special was the personal milestone Van Dijk reached. He became the most capped captain in the history of the Netherlands, overtaking Frank de Boer. It is a significant accomplishment for a player who has spent years leading by example. His consistency, calm presence and strong communication have made him the heartbeat of the Dutch defence.
Against Lithuania he showed all those qualities. He won challenges early, kept the back line organised and stopped counter attacks before they had a chance to develop. He also played an important part in supporting the Dutch build up from the back. For a match with high stakes, Van Dijk delivered exactly what the Netherlands needed from their leader. For Liverpool supporters, it is encouraging to see him performing at this level during the international break. His sharpness and confidence will only benefit the club when Premier League action resumes.
Gravenberch Watches from the Bench but Stays in the Picture
Ryan Gravenberch did not feature in this match, spending the evening as an unused substitute. Even so, his place in the squad speaks to the trust the Netherlands coaching staff continues to have in him. He remains an important part of their long term plans. For a young midfielder, these camps and matchdays are valuable. They give him time to absorb tactical instructions and build chemistry with the rest of the squad. While he did not play on Monday, his form with Liverpool suggests more opportunities are likely to come.
Wirtz Delivers for Germany with Two Assists in a 6-0 Win
Elsewhere in Europe, another Liverpool player made a major impact. Florian Wirtz was one of the standout performers in Germany’s 6-0 victory over Slovakia. The scoreline shows the level of dominance, and Wirtz played a key role in creating it. He finished the night with two assists, both for Leroy Sane. The first came from a clever sequence of play where Wirtz read the movement of Sane perfectly and slipped a precise pass into his path. The second was just as sharp, again showing his ability to break open a defence with vision and timing.
Wirtz lasted until the 77th minute before being substituted, and by then the hard work was already done. Germany had full control of the match and were on their way to locking up the top spot in Group A. His creativity and quick thinking helped generate several dangerous chances, and his link up play in midfield looked polished throughout the game. With the Euros showing what Germany’s younger generation can do, this qualifying run has added even more confidence to their squad. Wirtz continues to grow into his role, and Liverpool fans will be excited about the level he is hitting on the international stage.
Germany Secure Their World Cup Place in Style
Germany needed a strong performance to make sure they stayed clear at the top of their group. A 6-0 win does more than just secure qualification. It sends a message. The team looked sharp, competitive and motivated. With players like Wirtz providing creativity and tempo, Germany are building a squad that can challenge seriously next summer.
Netherlands Join Germany with a Confident Group Win
The Netherlands finishing at the top of Group G was not a surprise, but the way they sealed it was impressive. Their 4-0 win showed maturity and balance across the team. With players like Gakpo delivering goals and Van Dijk anchoring the defence, the squad looks well rounded and ready for the challenges ahead.
Securing qualification early also gives them time to shape their tactical approach for the tournament. Koeman will be pleased with how his key players performed in high pressure moments.
Bradley Leads Northern Ireland to Victory
Conor Bradley had his own milestone moment on Monday. The Liverpool full back captained Northern Ireland during their 1-0 win over Luxembourg. He wore the armband with pride and gave a committed display in the first half before being substituted at the break. Captaining your country at his age is a big responsibility, and Bradley handled it well. He brought energy on the right flank, supported the attack when possible and stayed disciplined defensively. Northern Ireland held on to their lead in the second half to secure the win.
Bradley’s rise over the past two seasons has been impressive, and this experience will only help his growth. He is becoming a dependable figure for both club and country.
A Successful Night for Liverpool’s International Stars
Monday’s matches showed why Liverpool’s squad carries such international pedigree. Gakpo delivered a goal and an assist, Wirtz created two goals, Van Dijk broke a national record with a clean sheet, and Bradley wore the captain’s armband for Northern Ireland. Even players who did not feature fully remained part of winning sides.
With both the Netherlands and Germany booking their places at next summer’s World Cup, the tournament will be filled with familiar faces for Liverpool supporters. The coming months will bring more competitive fixtures, but for now, these players return to their clubs with confidence and momentum. It was a night of proud moments and big achievements, and it reflected well on both the players and the club they represent.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
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