:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17806841/176286909.0.jpg)
Excited for the new season? Worried about the state of Liverpool's squad? Just figuring out that the Premier League starts in four days and you haven't even joined a Fantasy Football league yet that you'll inevitably forget about sometime in the next month? Tough. There's international friendlies to watch, and some serious finger-crossing to be done as FIFA's annual reminder of their incompetence kicks off tomorrow around the globe. It's not going to be pretty, but there's at least a small--though significant--Liverpool contingent involved.
Last week Conor gave us the rundown of the misery that's in store, and in the past week we've had some names ruled in and out of participation. An updated look at what's in store, then, with a list that's a little bit shorter than last week with Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger injured, and none of Fabio Borini, Lucas, or Philippe Coutinho selected.
England U21 v. Scotland U21 (in progress now)
Raheem Sterling, Andre Wisdom (captaining the side for the second time), and Jack Robinson are all in the starting lineup for the friendly against Scotland at Bramall Lane. As far as I know, this is the only fixture today including Liverpool players other than the closed-doors friendly.
Japan v. Uruguay 11:20AM BST/6:20AM EST
Both Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates were selected for the friendly at the Saitama Stadium, and both should feature, as it's likely the only opportunity they'll be getting for awhile.
Wales v. Ireland 7:45PM BST/2:45PM EST
There's a spot for Joe Allen in the Welsh squad as they host Ireland at Cardiff City Stadium. Allen should get some minutes after returning to full fitness and producing one of the more impressive preseasons in Liverpool's team.
Belgium v. France 8:00PM BST/3:00PM EST
Simon Mignolet was drafted into the Belgium squad and might get a half in, with Thibaut Courtois and Hoffenheim's Koen Casteels also included.
England v. Scotland 8:00PM BST/3:00PM EST
Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson will be part of the squad for Roy Hodgson; Gerrard commented earlier in the day on the futures of both Suarez and Wayne Rooney, and he should captain the side for (hopefully) an abbreviated spell.
Check your local listings for viewing options--ESPN3.com only has a few this time around, but Fox Soccer Channel and BeIn Sport have aired most summer internationals stateside, and the UK contingent of Sky Sports, BBC, and BT Sport should have quite a bit of the day's action as well. We'll have a matchday thread running alongside the other goings-on of the day, but mostly we'll just be crossing our fingers that everyone either doesn't play or comes out the other side ready for Saturday.