Internationals: Reds star as Netherlands and Germany qualify for World Cup

Four Liverpool players featured and played vital roles for their nations in World Cup qualifying on Monday.

Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dijk started for the Netherlands in their 4-0 victory over Lithuania in Group G, while Ryan Gravenberch was an unused substitute in the fixture.

Gakpo - who completed 79 minutes - scored a penalty and recorded an assist for his country, setting up Xavi Simons, with Van Dijk helping to keep a clean sheet in defence.

The Reds skipper also set a record in the contest, becoming the most-capped captain for his country in history, overtaking previous holder Frank de Boer.

Elsewhere, Florian Wirtz produced two assists for Germany in a 6-0 victory over Slovakia in

Group A.

The playmaker twice found Leroy Sane, for his nation's third and fourth goals on the night, ahead of his withdrawal in minute 77.

Both the Netherlands and Germany thereby secured their places at next summer's tournament by finishing top of their qualification groups.

Conor Bradley, meanwhile, captained Northern Ireland ahead of being substituted at half-time during a 1-0 win against Luxembourg.