Six Liverpool players will be packing their bags for the World Cup this summer after earning international call-ups for the tournament across the USA, Mexico and Canada.

The Reds endured a thoroughly frustrating campaign, scraping into the top five with just 60 points as defending Premier League champions. It was such an inconsistent season that manager Arne Slot was ultimately dismissed by the Anfield hierarchy last Saturday, despite unprecedented transfer spending last summer.

Liverpool have since agreed a deal in principle to appoint Andoni Iraola as the Dutchman's successor, whilst several of their squad prepare for international duty at the world's biggest tournament.

Alisson will be between the sticks for Brazil, with captain Virgil van Dijk leading the Netherlands defence. The Dutch contingent is particularly strong, with midfielder Ryan Gravenberch and forward Cody Gakpo also earning selection for their nation.

Argentina have called up midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, whilst Japan captain Wataru Endo will represent his country in midfield. Germany have selected Florian Wirtz, and Sweden's Alexander Isak completes Liverpool's World Cup representation.

However, several notable absentees will be watching from home. Jeremie Frimpong has been overlooked by the Netherlands despite their strong Liverpool contingent, whilst Dominik Szoboszlai faces disappointment as Hungary failed to qualify for the tournament.

Conor Bradley's Northern Ireland also missed out on qualification, as did Stefan Bajcetic's Serbia. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili won't be involved either, with Georgia failing to secure their place at the finals.

The World Cup call-ups come at the end of what can only be described as a gruelling season for Liverpool. The club's disappointing league finish would have been even more damaging had the Premier League not been granted an additional Champions League place thanks to its strong UEFA coefficient ranking.

That stroke of fortune has at least given incoming manager Iraola the platform of European football to work with as he begins planning transfers for the new campaign. The Spaniard will be hoping his Liverpool stars return from international duty refreshed and ready to bounce back from this season's struggles.

With six players involved in the world's premier tournament, there's no shortage of international pedigree in the squad. The challenge now is translating that quality into the consistency that was so badly missing throughout the previous campaign.

Whilst their nations battle for World Cup glory, Liverpool's summer rebuild begins in earnest.