Liverpool FC News: Mamardashvili heroics for Georgia as France's Jacquet picks up injury worry
Monday brought us the penultimate night of action from this seemingly never ending international break. It was a busy night for the four Liverpool players involved, both on and off the pitch, so that's enough preamble, let's jump straight into our roundup.
Bradley Barcola stars for France but Jérémy Jacquet suffers injury scare
The main headline of the night, from a Liverpool point of view, came before any of the games had actually taken place. Despite starting France's last two matches, his first two senior international caps, Jérémy Jacquet's name was nowhere to be seen when Zinédine Zidane's team sheet dropped. It transpired that the 21 year old centre-back had "felt a strain in his left hamstring", so was left out as a precaution, which is a bit of a concern.
There was still a Red in action at the Stade de France. Bradley Barcola started for the first time under Zizou, but endrued a mixed evening. He was hooked in the 72nd minute, with Belgium leading 1-0 at the time. His replacement Désiré Doué equalised soon after, before Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise twice were also on target to complete the turnaround, les Bleus eventually prevailing 4-1.
Dominik Szoboszlai key as Hungary claim crucial win
Elsewhere, Hungary made it back-to-back victories in Group B2, defeating Ukraine 2-1 at Štadión Antona Malatinského. Unsurprisingly, the Magyars captain Dominik Szoboszlai started and played the 87 minutes, replaced late on as he was walking something of a yellow card tightrope, having been cautioned on matchday one; Marco Rossi taking no chances.
Worth mentioning that Miloš Kerkez was not involved in this visit to Trnava. He was cautioned when both Ukraine and Georgia visited Budapest, thereby suspended for Monday night's fixture, returning to Merseyside earlier than expected as a result.
Giorgi Mamardashvili keeps a clean sheet
In the same group, Northern Ireland and Georgia played out an eventful goalless draw in Belfast. Giorgi Mamardashvili was certainly the hero for the Crusaders at Windsor Park. The Liverpool goalkeeper made five saves in total, spectacularly denying Josh Magennis from close-range before, mere moments later, being called into action again, this time keeping out Isaac Price's penalty, saving low down to his right.
Georgia have not won a game or even scored a goal in this Nations League campaign yet, spontaneously sacking head coach Willy Sagnol when Northern Ireland won 1-0 in Tbilisi ten days ago. Nevertheless, they've also only conceded twice, largely thanks to Mamardashvili, who will return to Merseyside full of confidence, despite not being first-choice for his club.
