Liverpool No2 Sammy Lee admits they'll be sweating on the fitness of their players during the World Cup.

While Lee will feel proud to see Liverpool's many representatives in South Africa, his main concern will be their fitness ahead of pre-season.

"It's a major football competition and for me there's nothing greater than the World Cup," Lee told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"As a professional footballer, it's the pinnacle playing in the finals.

"I will be looking at it with great interest. We have a number of our boys away with their countries and that shows the strength in depth we have got at this football club.

"Our main concern when our players go away is that they remain fit and don't pick up any injuries, because that has happened to us over the course of this season and the last one.

"So although we are happy for them to go to the World Cup, we will be looking at them with great interest to see if they all stay fit and then come back to us ready and refreshed for pre-season.

"It's a very proud moment for them to play for their country in the World Cup but it's also proud for them to play for Liverpool Football Club and that is paramount for us."