Liverpool At The Euros
It’s a new dawn at Anfield as Arne Slot runs the rule over his new team. But he’s missing most of his senior players as they compete at the Euros this summer. So who is on duty, and what can we expect from them?
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Vítězslav Jaroš
The academy graduate is a surprise call-up to the Czech Republic national team, aged just 22. He had a fine campaign on loan at Sturm Graz, where he helped his side to a league and cup double to dethrone perennial champions Red Bull Salzburg.
After making his international debut in a 7-1 friendly win against Malta, he’ll be his nation’s second or third choice keeper at the Euros, hoping for a chance to impress. He may well be back in Austria next year, looking to retain the title against Pep Lijnders’ Salzburg. But with uncertainty in the goalkeeper ranks on Merseyside, he may have an outside chance of staying with Arne Slot past the summer.
Expected role: Squad player
Joe Gomez
After a resurgent 2023/24 season, where he played a crucial role across multiple positions, Joey earned his place on the England plane. The likes of Ezri Konsa are ahead of him in the central defensive pecking order, but Luke Shaw’s injury woes present an opportunity at left back – where Gomez played his best football this year.
As England expect to go deep in the tournament, Gomez could be a useful option off the bench to close games out.
Expected role: Substitute
Trent Alexander-Arnold
The Liverpool right back gets as much speculation about his best position as he does praise for his performances. Not so for England, who list him as a midfielder in their squads. Impressing in the tune-up friendly vs Denmark, Trent is an option for the tricky third midfield spot alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham. A spot once occupied by former Reds captain Jordan Henderson, now up for grabs with the likes of Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton also in the mix.
On paper, the Liverpool vice captain is a shoo-in to start over that lot. But he may be subject to rotation throughout the tournament as Southgate searches for his best blend of talents.
Expected role: Potential starter
Diogo Jota
Liverpool’s best pure finisher makes an absolutely stacked Portugal side with ambitions of winning the whole lot. The likes of Joao Felix, Gonçalo Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo will be ahead of Jota in the pecking order, but despite stiff competition and an injury-plagued club season his ruthlessness in front of goal makes him an ideal super-sub.
Having been too young for the squad that won the Euros in 2016, Jota has a great chance of adding international silverware to his domestic cups from Liverpool.
Expected role: Substitute
Ryan Gravenberch
Grav’s Liverpool career began with controversy surrounding his international status. Joining late in the window, he opted to ignore the call to represent Netherlands U21s for friendly matches and focus on getting up to speed at his new club.
Incurring the wrath of his Oranje boss Ronald Koeman, Gravenberch was briefly suspended from the international setup. But a strong debut campaign for the Reds has seen him restored in time for the Euros. The absence of Frenkie De Jong due to injury has opened a spot in Koeman’s midfield alongside rumored Liverpool target Teun Koopmeiners. However, the likes of Jody Veerman and ex-Red Gini Wijnaldum will likely be preferred.
Expected role: Substitute
Cody Gakpo
The Flying Dutchman has shown glimpses of potential at Liverpool: serviceable as a false nine, poor in midfield and effective from his preferred left wing position. A strong finish to the campaign tees him up nicely for the Euros, and he has previous for his country: he scored in every group game at the 2022 World Cup, earning his move to Liverpool just four weeks later.
With Koeman likely to use a 5-3-2 formation, Gakpo is a potential partner to Memphis Depay, with both players comfortable pulling wide before driving into central areas to shoot.
Expected role: Potential starter
Virgil Van Dijk
Liverpool’s captain and colossus at the back fills the same role for the Netherlands, despite garnering some absurd criticism from pundits back home. He’ll be at the heart of a back three with Matthis De Ligt and Nathan Aké, looking to marshal a strong defense and chip in with set piece goals where possible. Still the best in the world at 32 and a big reason the Netherlands can go deep in this competition.
Expected role: Starter
Andy Robertson
From one captain to another, Scotland’s skipper will be looking to overcome a recent injury scare in time for the tournament. He’s leading his nation into back-to-back Euros. That’s just the second time Scotland have achieved this, and they’ll be hoping to improve on their showing at the 2020 Euros by getting out of their group. They have the tough task of playing hosts Germany in the opening game of the tournament.
Expected role: Starter
Dominik Szoboszlai
At the age of just 23, Big Dom is already the established captain of the Hungarian national side. A robust 3-4-2-1 formation sees him deployed as a number ten, free to drop deep and dictate games as well as being decisive in the final third. New Liverpool manager Arne Slot – who, unlike Jurgen Klopp, uses a number ten in his system – will be watching closely.
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Expected role: Starter
Ibrahima Konaté
He may have lost his place to Jarell Quansah towards the end of the club season, but the Frenchman is a guaranteed starter for his country. Konaté was a key member of the side that reached the 2022 World Cup final and will be looking to go one better in Germany, playing a key role in a back three formation.
France are definitely one of the favorites for the tournament, but Konaté will have to overcome Netherlands and his mentor Virgil Van Dijk in the group stage.
Expected role: Starter
