Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted on Friday that he is unsure whether they will be able to pick Brazilian pair Alisson Becker or Fabinho for this weekend's match against Leeds United.
The pair, plus Roberto Firmino - who is injured - were selected for the World Cup qualifiers in South America but Liverpool, like other Premier League clubs, refused permission for players to join-up.
Clubs said they were forced into the action if the matches involved travelling to countries on the UK's Covid-19 red list, due to the quarantine period involved on arrival back in the UK.
“Our players, if they come back then they have to quarantine 10 days in a random hotel, next to the airport probably, which is not good for any people who have to do that but for a professional football player, being 10 days in a hotel - with the food they get from there - you lose everything,” Klopp told the official club website.
“You lose muscle, you lose everything. It means 10 days in the hotel, coming back [and] needing pretty much 10 days to get on track again.”
Brazil football chiefs, though, have asked Fifa to invoke the five-day suspension rule for clubs not releasing their players that could also mean Leeds' attacker Raphinha misses the game at Elland Road on Sunday.
“I don't know what will happen at the weekend, to be honest,” Klopp admitted. “In this moment, we have to see what other people decide and then we will again accept that probably, do what people tell us and try to win a football game.
“We all know we are in the middle of a pandemic, which is difficult for all parts of life and for football it was difficult as well - we have a few more games to play than we have to play usually internationally.
“We had a summer break where all of a sudden somebody organised again a Copa America, where they could have played the games, for example, without playing a Copa America, which they had a year before.”
Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1: player ratings
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LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 7: The Brazilian had to be watchful and quick off his line when Chelsea tried to get behind the back four. A good performance overall and the goalkeeper had no chance of stopping the goal. Reuters -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6: The full back showed his usual range of passing, picking out Henderson in the area in the first half. Some of his second-half crossing required more precision. Reuters -
Joel Matip - 6: The centre back was targeted by Lukaku but held up well. He hit the woodwork in the first-half scramble that led to the penalty. Reuters -
Virgil van Dijk - 6: The Dutchman is improving with every game after his long layoff. Some of his passing was a little scattergun but he is a reassuring presence at the back. Reuters -
Andrew Robertson - 6: The Scot was not at his best at either end of the pitch. He put in his usual shift before being replaced by Tsimikas with four minutes to go. Getty -
Fabinho - 6: The Brazilian was over-run in the midfield in the first half but found things easier against 10 men in the second period. A bit short on creativity. AFP -
Harvey Elliot - 6: The 18-year-old showed no fear and took on plenty of responsibility. He lacked composure in the box when left free to shoot in the first half. Getty -
Jordan Henderson - 6: The captain should have scored when he got behind the defence in the first half. He worked hard but was replaced by Thiago with 16 minutes to go when Liverpool needed more craft to break down Chelsea. Getty -
Mohamed Salah - 7: The Egyptian was beginning to look frustrated as half-time approached but he dispatched the penalty with aplomb. He was swarmed upon by defenders whenever the ball came near. Reuters -
Roberto Firmino - 6: The Brazilian started well but picked up an injury and was replaced by Jota three minutes before half time. AFP -
Sadio Mane - 6: Things did not click for the Senegalese but his effort could not be faulted. He looked frustrated at times. AFP -
SUBS: Diogo Jota - 6: Joined the game in the 42nd minute when Firmino limped off. The Portuguese found space hard to come by with Chelsea sitting so deep. AFP -
Thiago Alcantara - 6: The 30-year-old entered the fray in the 74th minute for Henderson. He was unable to unlock the packed defence. Getty -
Kostas Tsimikas - 6: The Greek was given a taste of the action in the 86th minute when replacing Robertson. Sent in one cross that dropped onto the roof of the net. Getty -
CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy - 8: The Senegalese made a succession of second-half saves to ensure his team left Anfield with a point. He was beaten just once, by Salah’s unstoppable penalty. AFP -
Cesar Azpilicueta - 8: The Spaniard showed great awareness to deny Mane a scoring chance in the first half. The captain made a number of important interceptions. Reuters -
Andreas Christensen - 8: The Dane produced a masterful performance, especially in the second half when the pressure was on. He rarely looked flustered and used the ball well. Reuters -
Antonio Rudiger - 7: The German had some difficult moments in the first period but grew in stature after the break. He a kept tight rein on Salah. Reuters -
Reece James - 4: The 21-year-old did not get much chance to show his attacking ability. He struggled early on and was sent off for handling on the line in first-half stoppage time. Reuters -
N’Golo Kante - 7: The Frenchman was full of energy, closing down opponents and imposing himself on the midfield. He picked up a knock on the ankle just before half time and was replaced by Kovacic after the break. Getty -
Jorginho - 6: The Brazilian was often involved in quelling the threat of Salah but did not thrive on the ball because of the pace of the game. Taken off for Chalobah with three minutes left. PA -
Marcos Alonso - 6: The Spaniard came under huge pressure from Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Elliott but stuck to his task. He manewas not able to range forward as much as usual. EPA -
Mason Mount - 7: The Englishman showed a brilliant touch to bamboozle Matip. He orchestrated Chelsea’s attack but should have crossed instead of shooting in the first half. Forced to defend in the second half. Getty -
Kai Havertz - 7: The German scored a superb header to put his team in front. He was unfortunate to be replaced by Thiago Silva at half time as Chelsea restructured after the sending off. EPA -
Romelu Lukaku - 6: The Belgian showed flashes of threat but was left to lead the line alone after the sending off. He gave Matip a couple of frights but one threatening run ended when the striker fell over the ball. AFP -
SUBS: Thiago Silva - 7: The 36-year-old came on for the second half at Havertz’s expense. He joined in the rearguard action with gusto and provided an extra level of security. Getty -
Mateo Kovacic - 7: The Croat replaced Kante after the break. He defended stoutly but was unable to make the most of a scoring chance on one of his rare excursions forward. Getty -
Trevoh Chalobah - 6: The 22-year-old had a brief runout, replacing Jorginho with three minutes to go. He looked comfortable joining the massed defence. PA
A number of other clubs including Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, are also affected in a situation that has left the players unsure of their position.
“It’s a difficult situation, because we want to defend our country, we want to play for the Brazilian team,” Liverpool midfielder Fabinho told ESPN Brasil.
“But I don’t think it’s just between club and national team. It’s a government rule, I don’t think the English FA could change that, I think.
“I believe that Fifa would not be able to change either, neither Conmebol [South American Football Confederation] nor the CBF [Brazilian Football Confederatrion].
“We players are in the middle of this kind of dispute, right, without much to do. Because it was a Premier League decision not to release us.
“And on the one hand, we even understand, because on the way back I would have to stay 10 days in a hotel. Maybe lose three games. And 10 days is enough for you to lose a game rhythm. So it’s hard.”
