Liverpool midfielder DROPPED from Brazil squad, Chelsea trio and Gunners

Former Real Madrid and AC Milan star Ricardo Kaka has been recalled to the Brazil squad, while Marcelo, Philippe Coutinho and Thiago Silva have been dropped by national coach Carlos Dunga.

In attack, Dunga can turn to Neymar and Hulk, along with Douglas Costa, who swapped Shakhtar Donetsk for Bayern Munich earlier this summer.

Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has been omitted from the Brazil squad that will face Costa Rica and the United States in September, with 33-year-old Selecao veteran Kaka taking his place.

The five-time world champions will meet Costa Rica at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ, on September 5 before travelling to the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, for a clash with USA on September 9.

Kaka got the dubious distinction of being the first Major League Soccer player to be included in a Brazil call-up as he is now active with Orlando City South Carolina. Arsenal reserve Gabriel was also included.

The game replaces Brazil’s planned friendly against Argentina in San Francisco that was cancelled as part of the fallout from the investigation into alleged corruption involving Federation Internationale de Football Association.

The double-header will be Brazil’s final two fixtures before the starOctober sees them kick off their qualification campaign for the World Cup in 2018 with games against Chile and Venezuela.