Jurgen Klopp refuses to use Alex Ferguson ploy at Liverpool as Gary Neville's Bukayo Saka prediction comes true
One by one, the Premier League's big guns have started to drop like flies in recent days.
And perhaps it's no surprise to see so many of the main protagonists - the players who will have a major say on the destination of the title - being quietly withdrawn from international duty.
Kevin De Bruyne's absence from Manchester City's FA Cup defeat of Newcastle United last week means the Belgium star won't be involved for his nation in the coming week or so, while Erling Haaland has become the latest doubt for Norway after pulling out of training earlier this week.
At Arsenal, Bukayo Saka has been taken out of action for England, meaning the forward will miss the upcoming friendlies with Brazil and Belgium for Gareth Southgate's side.
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"Bukayo Saka has left the England camp and returned to his club for continued rehabilitation," read an FA statement. "The Arsenal forward reported to St. George's Park with an injury and has been unable to participate in training. No further replacements are planned as a 25-man England squad continue their preparation for the forthcoming internationals with Brazil and Belgium."
Over at Liverpool, Darwin Nunez has remained on Merseyside after suffering a hamstring scare in the 4-3 defeat to Manchester United, although Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz - two others who suffered problems in that FA Cup loss at Old Trafford - have both reported for duty with the Netherlands and Colombia, respectively.
It's a critical time of the season and managers are understandably concerned over their major stars being involved in
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