Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez does not believe Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel's trip to Australia with Holland will hamper their preparations for facing Sunderland.
The Dutch duo have made the long trip to Sydney with their country for Saturday's friendly with the Socceroos.
Benitez would rather Kuyt and Babel did not have to travel, but he is confident the pair will have ample time to recover ahead of the game at Sunderland on 17th October.
"We tried to talk with the Dutch Federation about Dirk and Ryan having to travel so far but they have the right to call the players up for these games," the Reds boss told the club's official website.
"We tried to find some kind of solution but it was impossible and it is not an ideal situation for them to travel to Australia for a friendly.
"But it is not so bad. They only have to play the one game, there is another seven days until we play Sunderland and we will see them again early next week.
"Both Dirk and Ryan know that I do not see a problem with them travelling and it is not going to be a bad situation.
"They will be back at least two or three days before the players who have gone to South America and I'm sure they will be okay for Sunderland."
The South American players to which Benitez refers are Lucas Leiva, Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua, who are involved with Argentina.
They are a part of Diego Maradona's squad for the must-win World Cup qualifier with Peru on Saturday, which can be seen live on Sky Sports 1.
Benitez said: "We know Lucas, Mascherano and Insua will not be back until Friday afternoon and we will have to manage them carefully."
The Dutch duo have made the long trip to Sydney with their country for Saturday's friendly with the Socceroos.
Benitez would rather Kuyt and Babel did not have to travel, but he is confident the pair will have ample time to recover ahead of the game at Sunderland on 17th October.
"We tried to talk with the Dutch Federation about Dirk and Ryan having to travel so far but they have the right to call the players up for these games," the Reds boss told the club's official website.
"We tried to find some kind of solution but it was impossible and it is not an ideal situation for them to travel to Australia for a friendly.
"But it is not so bad. They only have to play the one game, there is another seven days until we play Sunderland and we will see them again early next week.
"Both Dirk and Ryan know that I do not see a problem with them travelling and it is not going to be a bad situation.
"They will be back at least two or three days before the players who have gone to South America and I'm sure they will be okay for Sunderland."
The South American players to which Benitez refers are Lucas Leiva, Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua, who are involved with Argentina.
They are a part of Diego Maradona's squad for the must-win World Cup qualifier with Peru on Saturday, which can be seen live on Sky Sports 1.
Benitez said: "We know Lucas, Mascherano and Insua will not be back until Friday afternoon and we will have to manage them carefully."
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