Liverpool international break news as Alexander Isak gets boost and new Conor Bradley setback

Liverpool's players suffered a mixed night as the international break got underway with the first round of fixtures, with Alexander Isak handed a huge boost as he continues his recovery from injury

Alexander Isak could yet play at this summer's World Cup(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool's international stars — both those playing and those currently out injured — endured a mixed night as the first round of fixtures kicked off during the break, with preparations for this summer's World Cup taking shape.

Arne Slot's side may be glad of the break from domestic action, given the struggles they're having in the Premier League, and during a week in which Mohamed Salah's decision to leave the club has dominated the headlines, there was finally some action for the Reds' players on Thursday.

Only three senior Liverpool players actually got some minutes during Thursday's games, but there was plenty of interest for some of the club's other stars.

Here is the latest news on the international front for Liverpool's players after Thursday's games...

Alexander Isak

The Liverpool striker might still be working his way back to fitness after his broken leg, but Alexander Isak might well have a World Cup to look forward to when he does return.

Despite a desperately poor qualifying campaign, Sweden is still in the running for a spot at this summer's tournament thanks to securing a playoff spot through the Nations League, and now it's just one game away from a place in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Viktor Gyokeres scored a hat-trick as Sweden beat Ukraine in the World Cup play-offs(Image: Getty Images)

A hat-trick from Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres saw Sweden beat Ukraine 3-1 to set up a final playoff game at home to Poland. Isak will no doubt be watching that game with interest as his World Cup dream remains alive.

Conor Bradley and Kieran Morrison

It was a bad night for some of Liverpool's other World Cup hopefuls, with Conor Bradley's hopes of reaching the tournament ended as Northern Ireland suffered a 2-0 defeat in Italy.

The right-back is of course out injured at the moment, and will miss the remainder of the Reds' season, but there were slim hopes that he might be able to return in time had his country qualified for this summer's tournament.

He will now have to wait until at least pre-season with the Reds to make his comeback. Kieran Morrison, meanwhile, didn't make the final matchday squad against Italy after receiving his first senior call-up.

Lewis Koumas

There was more heartbreak for another Liverpool youngster, with Lewis Koumas and Wales knocked out of the playoffs at the first hurdle.

Craig Bellamy's side were beaten on penalties against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with former Reds defender Neco Williams one of two Wales players to miss their spot-kicks alongside Brennan Johnson.

Koumas, who is currently on loan with Championship side Hull, wasn't called upon from the bench in Cardiff as his wait for a first international tournament appearance goes on.

Ibrahima Konate and Hugo Ekitike

There was better news for Ibrahima Konate and Hugo Ekitike as France laid down a marker ahead of the World Cup with a 2-1 win over Brazil in Boston.

The Liverpool pair both started the game, with Ekitike scoring what turned out to be the winner as he boosted his chances of landing a spot in Didier Deschamps' squad this summer. Kylian Mbappe had earlier scored the opener for France, with Gleison Bremer pulling a goal back for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Ekitike played just over an hour at the Gillette Stadium, while Konate played the full 90 minutes and saw his center-back partner Dayot Upamecano sent off just 10 minutes into the second half.

Giorgi Mamardashvili

Giorgi Mamardashvili got more precious game time ahead of returning to Liverpool as Georgia drew 2-2 with Israel.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored twice, which may interest Liverpool as the Paris Saint-Germain forward is once again linked with the Reds, but Georgia was pegged back by two quickfire goals from Israel just after the hour mark.

Georgia will be back in action on Sunday against Lithuania, and Liverpool boss Slot will be keeping his fingers crossed that Mamardashvili stays fit, with the goalkeeper set to continue deputizing for the injured Alisson Becker when he returns to Merseyside.