Sadio Mane and Dejan Lovren face make-or-break fixtures for their countries' aspirations of reaching the 2018 World Cup in the coming days.

The Liverpool duo are two of 16 members of Jürgen Klopp's current first-team squad who are away on international duty during this fortnight.

Mane's Senegal require two points from their final two qualification fixtures against South Africa on Friday and next Tuesday to secure their place at the World Cup finals for the first time since 2002.

"It's going to be tough because we know how South Africa is, even when they are not in good form," the Reds forward told BBC Sport.

"We respect them but we also know we have quality and we have a great team and I think we can do it. Everybody knows what it means for the country - especially the fans - and I think it will be a dream for us and hopefully God will help us to qualify."

Lovren, meanwhile, is part of the Croatia set-up that must overcome Greece in a two-legged play-off - played on Thursday and Sunday - if they are to compete in Russia next year.

Joe Gomez could win his first senior England cap after being rewarded for his impressive form at club level with a call-up to Gareth Southgate's squad for their home friendlies against Emre Can's Germany and Brazil.

Should he recover from the thigh injury that kept him out of Liverpool's 4-1 win over West Ham United on Saturday, Gomez will be joined on Three Lions duty by Jordan Henderson.

Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho could play against their club-mates at Wembley next Tuesday in a game that comes four days after Brazil's meeting with Japan in Lille.

Georginio Wijnaldum and Andy Robertson are set to meet when the Netherlands take on Scotland in Aberdeen on Thursday, with the Dutch also playing against Romania next week.

Alberto Moreno is in line to win his first Spain cap since May 2014 after being recalled for their friendlies with Costa Rica and Russia, and Danny Ward and Ben Woodburn are with Wales for clashes with France and Panama.

Belgium have named Simon Mignolet in their squad for games against Mexico and Japan, with Divock Origi - scorer of four goals in nine Bundesliga appearances on loan at Wolfsburg this season - also included.

Marko Grujic has been called up by Serbia for matches against China and South Korea, while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominic Solanke are on duty with England U21s.