9 Liverpool players who may play in the 2018 World Cup

With the international friendlies over, the various managers of the national team should have some idea in mind as to who they want to pick for the FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The Liverpool first-team squad offers a huge pool of talent from different countries, all awaiting the 23-man squad announcement in June. Under Jurgen Klopp's managerial style, some players like Joe Gomez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have made extraordinary developments.

The consistency of performances and having regular game time are two known criteria for selecting players for the competition. Here is a look at nine players from Liverpool who could play in the World Cup.

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#9 Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

Salah watched from the sidelines as Eygpt fell to a loss to Greece

In the current Premier League campaign, Salah has played a vital role in leading Liverpool to a Champions League spot. The Egyptian national has scored 28 goals in the Premier League, the highest tally so far.

Similarly, his goals have succeeded in bringing Egypt to the group stage of the 2018 World Cup. The group draw has gone in favour of Egypt as they have avoided the favourites of the competition.

Salah has been a goalscoring machine this season. His good positioning gives him an added advantage when he gets the ball from his team-mates, and he can turn against the defenders quickly to move into the penalty box.

Beyond that, Salah's timing and accuracy have been reasons why he has been able to score such a huge number of goals. He is aware of the time needed for his team-mates to support the attack and his accuracy gives him the confidence to go one-on-one against the goalkeeper.

Assuming he is fit and injury free, Salah could become one of the standout performers in the FIFA 2018 World Cup.

#8 Sadio Mane (Senegal)

Mane is one of the best African players

Last year, Mane's goals brought Senegal to the World Cup as they came out the top in Group D of the African qualifiers.

Mane is one of the best forwards the country has. Looking ahead, he will certainly play a vital role in his country's competitions if he is able to stay away from injuries. After making 50 appearances for Liverpool, Mane has scored 21 goals. This season, the winger also scored his first hat-trick for the Reds, becoming a vital player at Anfield.

The pacey winger is good with the ball at his feet and always looks eager to regain possession. Although Senegal enter the competition with low expectations, the team can expect a great and consistent performance from Mane. He will definitely be on the plane to Russia.

#7 Roberto Firmino (Brazil)

Firmino is key to Liverpool's style of play

Ever since Philippe Coutinho left Liverpool for a move to Barcelona, Firmino has taken over as the main attacking influence. Although Bobby is not as highly rated as his Brazilian counterpart, he has slowly established himself as the first choice centre-forward for Liverpool, playing a total of over 3000 minutes in the season.

He has been praised for his speed and energy when it comes to attacking. Under Klopp's dominant football style, Firmino enjoys having possession and can be equally effective in counter-attacks.

A possible challenge Brazil may face is the possibility of having to sit deep and soak up the pressure. Firmino is one of the most suitable players in such a scenario as he is always eager to hunt for the ball after losing possession.

It will be a wise decision to pick Firmino for the World Cup.

#6 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (England)

''The Ox" played against Italy in England's international friendly

Oxlade-Chamberlain insisted he made the right move to join Liverpool in the summer transfer window, just days after playing against the team he joined. Under both Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp, the Englishman has had mixed performances.

For the earlier part of the season in Liverpool, Oxlade-Chamberlain seemed to be a benchwarmer, making a number of appearances as a substitute which would have severely hindered his chances of joining the World Cup.

However, Klopp gradually gave Oxlade-Chamberlain more freedom and opportunities to express himself in the game. With more game time and while keeping himself injury-free, Southgate has called him up for the international games.

Ox personally prefers playing in the central midfield to playing on the wing, where he was often deployed when he was in Arsenal. I am sure Southgate will be able to determine which position is the most appropriate for the Liverpool player if he were to be called up.

#5 Adam Lallana (England)

Lallana was picked by Southgate for the international friendlies

Lallana's campaign in this season has been hampered by injuries. Although he was given a chance by Southgate to play in the friendlies, there is no guarantee that he will be called up in June because Lallana faces a fitness battle.

If Lallana can prove to Klopp that he is fit to play for the club, it will surely boost his chances of being selected for the upcoming World Cup. Even though the attacking midfielder has impressed over the years, he has not showcased his capabilities this season. For the last two seasons, Lallana played more than 2000 minutes each. This season, he has played just 215 minutes in Premier League.

Lallana came on as a substitute against Italy in the 60th minute but the time was barely sufficient for Southgate to decide. Over the next two months, Lallana's contribution and performance will be critically evaluated.

Overall, the good news is there is a strong sign that Lallana will be one of the chosen men.

#4 Emre Can (Germany)

The German could be leaving Liverpool at the end of this season

There is some ongoing speculation that Can could be leaving Liverpool. Prior to that, his attention should be focused on earning a spot in the competitive Germany squad.

Can has played in Euro 2016 and the 2017 Confederations Cup for Germany. As a versatile player, he is able to play as a defensive midfielder or defender. Besides being physically strong, Can is also an accurate passer. His inborn technical abilities have made him an exceptional talent in the world of football.

The German international has a bright future ahead of him and his participation in the World Cup will leave an impact on his summer transfer should he decide to move. Joachim Low has never been afraid to trust for some of his younger players and he may give Emre Can the chance.

#3 Jordan Henderson (England)

The Liverpool captain could take on the captaincy in Russia

Henderson took up the captain's armband during the match against Holland. Known for his leadership role at Liverpool, he may be England's captain during the World Cup as the team requires a figure that everyone can look up to. Having represented England in Euro 2012, Euro 2016 and the 2014 World Cup, Henderson surely fits the bill.

The experienced box-to-box midfielder put up a great showing in the Three Lions' win against the Dutch side. That impressive performance certainly added to the possibility of him receiving a call-up for the World Cup.

A hardworking player in the team, his presence will benefit the rest of the squad. Southgate should be looking forward to welcoming Henderson as one of the leaders of his squad.

#2 Joe Gomez (England)

Joe Gomez is a doubt for the next few games after injuring himself

Things did not quite go Gomez's way during the international games. In England's first match, the Liverpool man hurt his ankle and may potentially miss a couple of games. The 20-year-old defender had just made his senior debut in November last year.

In his second senior appearance, he earnt the praise and recognition for making vital interceptions and blocks against opponents, Brazil. As a matured young player, he is one of the younger prospects who deserve a chance to shine at the international level.

If Gomez is able to regain fitness in time, he may be joining Southgate in Russia.

#1 Simon Mignolet (Belgium)

Mignolet had a chance to play against Saudi Arabia

The Liverpool shot-stopper is usually the second choice goalkeeper for Belgium, behind Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea. In January this season, Klopp dropped Mignolet in favour of Loris Karius.

Both keepers have had a fair share of low-quality performances, but now it seems like Mignolet has lost the trust of Klopp to continue playing on. However, there is still a high chance for Mignolet to be in the World Cup even though he may be the backup keeper.

Courtois' injury and fitness concerns mean that there is a chance for Mignolet to stand in whenever it is demanded of him. However, it is unlikely that the latter will replace Courtois when he is fit given that the Chelsea keeper is more highly rated.