Raphinha among Brazil stars ruled out of Liverpool visit

Raphinha, Alisson Becker, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino are among eight Premier League stars who will be unavailable for selection this weekend after the Brazilian FA moved to ban players who failed to appear despite being called up for international duty.

Manchester City pair Gabriel Jesus and Ederson, Chelsea’s Thiago Silva and Manchester United midfielder Fred are the other players affected.

Some Premier League clubs moved to block their South American players from joining their international teammates as Covid rules regarding self isolation would have ruled them out of several league fixtures.

Leeds United attacker Raphinha is thought to have turned down his first Brazil call-up so that he could remain available to the Whites ahead of this Sunday’s fixture at home to Liverpool, who will be missing three of their own Brazilian players.

Football authorities in Brazil did spare Richarlison from any bans, however - this is a decision believed to be influenced by Everton allowing the forward to partake in the Tokyo Olympics earlier this summer.

Similar moves from the Mexico, Paraguay and Chile football federations have also ruled out Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez, Newcastle United’s Miguel Almiron and Watford defender Francisco Sierralta this weekend.

FIFA rules dictate that players not released for an international window can be banned for five days once the window ends, but Leeds are believed to be one of the clubs set to challenge this ruling, particularly as it was Raphinha’s decision to turn down the call-up.

As a result, Marcelo Bielsa will be forced to replace the 24-year-old with either U23s star Crycensio Summerville or deadline day signing Dan James, while Liverpool will likely turn to the likes of goalkeeper Adrian and forward Diogo Jota for the clash at Elland Road.

What do you make of this international debacle? Who would you like to see replace Raphinha in the starting XI against Liverpool? Vote in the poll below and let us know what you think in the comments and on Twitter.