Liverpool have received a potential boost from FIFA and the Asian Confederation (AFC) that could save Takumi Minamino from international service in October and November.
The 25-year-old, who joined the Reds from Red Bull Salzburg in January, has yet to play for Japan since moving to Anfield after the coronavirus pandemic to ensure that all international football is played during the international breaks in March and June was blocked.
The Samurai Blue are expected to return to action early next month with home games against Malaysia and Lebanon, which could give Liverpool the opportunity to extend their 22 internationals.
However, FIFA and the AFC have confirmed that the upcoming competitive games in October and November will be postponed to 2021.
“In view of the current COVID-19 situation in many countries, FIFA and the Asian Federation (AFC) have jointly decided that the upcoming qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar ™ and the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 should originally take place the international match window in October and November 2020 will be postponed to 2021, “confirmed FIFA in a statement published on its website.
“With the aim of protecting the health and safety of all participants, FIFA and the AFC will continue to work together to closely monitor the situation in the region and determine new dates for the respective qualifying matches.
“More details on the new dates for the next round of qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 Asian Cup will be announced in due course.”
Japan was due to host Myanmar on October 8 before traveling to Mongolia in October for the final qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
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As a result, they were to host Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in the subsequent qualification in November, although all four games will now take place next year.
Japan currently has a friendly with Croatia scheduled for November 8th, and it remains to be seen whether that game will take place or whether there will be more international friendlies instead of the postponed World Cup qualification.
Jürgen Klopp will be relieved, however, that Minamino may be spared international football in the coming months and travel to Asia, as an overloaded fixture list is waiting for Liverpool in a shortened season in a shortened season.
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