SNUB V COUNTRY

Klopp is the first Prem boss to ban stars from playing in internationals if they face risk of being forced into quarantine

JURGEN KLOPP will block his Liverpool stars from travelling to play for their countries.

The Reds boss (right) has declared any player at risk of being forced into quarantine will NOT be allowed to appear in World Cup qualifying games during this month’s international break.

That means he is ready to stop Brazil trio Alisson, Roberto Firmino and Fabinho, Senegal star Sadio Mane, Guinea international Naby

Keita and Portugal’s Diogo Jota representing their nations. They all face fixtures in red zone areas – with a total of 33 countries on the list – that would require a 10-day quarantine under the UK travel ban.

Premier League rivals are sure to follow suit, with Klopp claiming the clubs pay the players so they should have first call on them.

He said: “Everyone agrees we cannot let the players go and play for their country and come back and quarantine for 10 days in a hotel. FIFA was kind of clear that we don’t have to let the players go this time.

“We can’t just wait to sort the situation when they come back by placing our players in a 10-day quarantine in a hotel – it’s just not possible.”

“I understand the need of the different FAS, but we have to admit the players are paid by the clubs so it means we have to be first priority.

“This is a time where we cannot make everyone happy.”

So far the UK Government has refused to offer any exemption for sports stars travelling abroad, even if they remain in a bubble.

With World Cup qualifiers set to be decimated in South America, their governing body Conmebol will hold an emergency meeting with FIFA president Gianni Infantino (top) today.

Without being able to call upon their European players, they are considering postponing the looming round of fixtures.