Six Liverpool players featured in Sunday’s round of international fixtures.
Diogo Jota’s Portugal edged a Scotland side captained by Andy Robertson as the hosts came from behind to win their UEFA Nations League clash in Lisbon 2-1.
Jota and Robertson both started and finished the match – which was settled by a late Cristiano Ronaldo goal – while Ben Doak was introduced as a late substitute for Scotland.
Clarke’s side forced some early corners and they took the lead after Andy Robertson teed up Kenny McLean to whip in a dangerous cross. McTominay timed his run to perfection as he sneaked round the back of the home defence to head home from six yards.
Immediately, Clarke’s side gave way beneath the cosh. Although there were several near misses throughout the first half, Scott McKenna’s outstanding penalty-box defense in particular managed to keep Portugal at bay.
Rafael Leao repeatedly outmuscled Anthony Ralston, posing a threat and setting up Diogo Jota in the process.
Naturally, after the first goal, Portugal controlled nearly all of the ball, and the Tartan Army was determined to fight for their lives. They stopped 16 shots in the first half, which was the most in 45 minutes since 2012.
But their defensive work was undone early in the second half as Bruno Fernandes struck a sweet first-time strike provided by Rafael Leao into the bottom corner to level the scoreline, albeit with the help of some questionable goalkeeping from Scotland No.1 Angus Gunn.
And there was time for a classic Ronaldo winner off the bench as the Al-Nassr striker grabbed his 901st career goal to win the game for his side after stealing in to meet a teasing Nuno Mendes cross from close range.
In this match, somehow, Jota missed the target early on to earn his nation an equaliser but was a constant threat in the box in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence. Liverpool star has 4/4 Successful dribbles, 9 Touches in opposition box, 1 tackles, 3 Clearances, 5/10 Duels won
Andy Robertson, in the day that cap number 76 to equal Paul McStay as Scotland’s joint-fifth most capped international. Got forward to good effect, but didn’t pose his usual threat from dead ball / set pieces. Booked for a late challenge on Neves shortly after the restart. Important clearance in stoppage time as Portugal pressed for a third goal
Liverpool left-back has 19/30 (63%) Accurate passes, 1 Passes into final third, 2/7 Accurate long balls, 4 Recoveries, 3 Clearances, 2/3 Duels won
Elsewhere in the Nations League, Conor Bradley completed the full 90 minutes of Northern Ireland’s 1-0 away loss to Bulgaria but didn’t have his normal influence
And at U18 level, Trey Nyoni scored again for England as they drew 1-1 with France before winning the subsequent penalty shootout in their final game of the Lafarge Foot Avenir Tournament.
Reds Academy defender Carter Pinnington also started for the Young Lions.