Jurgen Klopp calls for 'solution' as World Cup quarantine row returns

Liverpool manager says quarantine and fixture issues could deprive him of Alisson and Fabinho for Premier League matches

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is one of eight Premier League players called up by Brazil for October's 2022 World Cup qualifiers. AFP

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called for "some kind of solution" to prevent another club-v-country row over Covid quarantine rules for World Cup qualifiers.

Premier League clubs refused to release players earlier this month for matches in countries on the British government's 'red' list because of the 10-day quarantine rule facing returning travellers.

In response, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and three other national associations asked Fifa to bar the players from club duty before withdrawing their request a day before the next round of Premier League fixtures.

Eight Brazilian Premier League players - including Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker and midfielder Fabinho - were called-up by Brazil coach Tite for the next round of 2022 qualifiers in October.

"There must be a solution because we cannot just leave it like this and say it's not a problem. Yes it is a problem," said Klopp.

"I know the relevant people are working on this, but there's nothing decided yet, at least as far as I'm concerned.

"We have a problem when the Brazilians are allowed, or when they go, to the next internationals.

"We have a 12.30 kick-off at Watford [October 16]. The game in Brazil is on Friday night [October 15], so obviously nobody has thought about that yet.

"I just don't know how you can do these kind of things where nobody reacts on the schedule. We have two problems. One is the schedule, it was always a problem.

"TV and other guys, the Premier League, say, 'OK, that's how it is, they have to play, let's have a look how they can sort that'.

"Another thing, it's not good for the players or the clubs as well and I hope the government comes up with some kind of solution."

Fifa president Gianni Infantino and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson discussed the possibility of quarantine exemptions for Premier League players this week.

Manchester City's Ederson and Gabriel Jesus, Fred of Manchester United, Chelsea defender Thiago Silva and Leeds winger Raphinha were also recalled by Brazil on Friday.

Tottenham defender Emerson Royal is also in the squad.

Brazil have won all eight of their qualifiers and play Venezuela on October 7 in Caracas, Colombia in Barranquilla three days later and Uruguay on the October 14 at Manaus.

The three September World Cup games included Brazil's meeting with Argentina in Sao Paulo which was aborted minutes after kick-off over alleged Covid-19 quarantine breaches by Argentina's English-based players.

Norwich v Liverpool ratings

NORWICH RATINGS: Angus Gunn - 5. He was let down by his defenders for all three goals. The back line often looked confused and could have done with more direction from the goalkeeper. Reuters

Bali Mumba - 5. The 19-year-old was keen to get up the pitch but made little impression at either end. He was replaced by Rashica with 21 minutes to go. Reuters

Andrew Omobamidele - 5. The Irishman is quick and showed good anticipation but his inexperience was obvious. His distribution needs work. Getty Images

Grant Hanley - 4. The Scot failed to dominate in the air. His positioning was poor when Origi won the ball to set up the opening goal and he was in no-man’s land for the second. Getty Images

Ben Gibson - 4. The centre-back did not have a good night. His pace was exposed, his marking was poor and he looked uncomfortable when his side tried to pass out from the back. Getty Images

Dimitris Giannoulis - 5. The Greek was ambitious going forward and, along with Tzolis, tested the Liverpool right. His presence in the box earned his team the penalty. Reuters

Billy Gilmour - 4. The man on loan from Chelsea showed some nice touches but was pressed heavily by the opposition and did not cope. He lost Minamino on the opening goal. Getty Images

Lukas Rupp - 4. The German could not impose himself on the midfield. The play bypassed him and he did little when on the ball. He shot wide in the second half when he might have fed Pukki. Reuters

Pierre Lees-Melou - 4. The Frenchman was anonymous in the first half but found the spotlight in the worst possible way in at the start of the second half, blazing over the bar when free in the box. Reuters

Christos Tzolis - 3. The 19-year-old put too much power on an early cross that should have brought a quick equaliser. His movement was good but his crossing was poor. Missed a very poorly-taken penalty. Taken off for Pukki in the 69th minute. Reuters

Adam Idah - 4. The Irishman was wasteful in possession. He had a couple of chances from the edge of the box but shot tamely each time. AFP

SUB: Teemu Pukki - 5. The Finn was brought on at the expense of Tzolis with 21 minutes to go to try and fashion a revival for his team. It did not work. He screwed his one shot wide. Getty Images

SUB: Milot Rashica - 4. Came on for Mumba with 21 minutes left. The Croat did not look like a wing back and made little impression. Getty Images

SUB: Kieran Dowell - 4. The former Everton man replaced Lees-Melou with 13 minutes left. The most memorable thing about his outing was the abuse aimed at him from the Liverpool fans. Reuters

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Caoimhin Kelleher - 8. The Irishman was secure throughout, rapid off his line and he capped the night with a fine penalty save. AFP

Conor Bradley - 6. The 18-year-old made some errors on his debut but they were balanced by a confident approach and plenty of skill. He bounced back after giving away the penalty. Reuters

Ibrahima Konate - 6. A powerful presence in defence and in the opposing box for set-pieces. He could be better in possession. AFP

Joe Gomez - 7. The 24-year-old came out on top in the battle with Idah. He produced a brilliant follow-up block after the saved penalty. AFP

Konstantinos Tsimikas - 8. The Greek was excellent, raiding down the line and pinging in corners, one of which led to the first goal. His cross for the second was sublime. EPA

Curtis Jones - 7. The 20-year-old showed his versatility and discipline when sitting deep. When pushed forward he produced a real threat. Getty Images

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5. The Englishman is struggling to find a coherent role. There were sparks that suggested he was close to his best but too many flat spots in his game. AFP

Naby Keita - 7. The Guinean was central to his team’s control of the midfield in the first half and did his job with quiet efficiency. Taken off at half time to give Morton a runout. Getty Images

Kaide Gordon - 7. A confident performance on debut from the 16-year-old, who showed an eagerness to run at the defence. An impressive start. Getty Images

Divock Origi - 8. The Belgian looked the essence of a target man when he drew three defenders and won the ball for Minamino to strike early on. He confirmed that impression with a splendid header to double the score. Getty Images

Takumi Minamino - 8. The Japanese scored twice and showed intelligent movement. He will have to be more effective tracking back to break into the first XI, though. AFP

SUB: Tyler Morton - 7. The 18-year-old replaced Keita at half time. He took on the responsibility of playing deep in the midfield, a tough role for a youngster making his debut. Getty Images)

SUB: Andrew Robertson - 6. Joined the action in the 66th minute when Tsimikas was withdrawn. Apart from one wild, misplaced ball across the face of goal, the Scot was his usual solid self. Getty Images

SUB: Jordan Henderson - 5. Given three minutes of action when Jones was substituted. He was as eager as ever. Getty Images