For Liverpool’s European stars, that’s particularly true as group stage qualification for the 2024 European Championship comes to an end during the November break.
At the time of writing, only 11 of 24 teams have qualified, but there are plenty of Liverpool players who have already booked their ticket to next summer’s tournament in Germany. Let’s take a look at which Reds could be on their way to Euro 2024.
ENGLAND Having breezed through qualification, England will be looking to go one step further than they did at Euro 2020 where they agonisingly lost to Italy on penalties. Perhaps they could take inspiration from the Lionesses after they triumphed at the Euros in 2022. As a result, Trent Alexander-Arnold will almost certainly be on the plane to Germany next summer, although he may be flying to the tournament as a midfielder and not a right-back.
However, Southgate hasn’t been shy in dropping Alexander-Arnold in the past, although he has previously received plenty of backlash for omitting the 25-year-old.
If he plays his cards right, then Joe Gomez could worm his way back into Southgate’s plans. The defender has been in strong form this season and has shown his versatility by playing across the backline. There is also a very slim chance that Curtis Jones, Jarell Quansah or Harvey Elliott could make the squad for Euro 2024, although that appears incredibly unlikely at present.
FRANCE The only Liverpool representative in the France squad will be Ibrahima Konate. The centre-back has 12 caps for the national team and would have added to that total this November if he hadn’t dropped out of the squad through injury. Konate has been a regular starter for France since the World Cup final, in which he briefly featured, and the only way he will miss out on Euro 2024 is if his fitness issues resurface next summer.
HUNGARY That means that Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai will be at next summer’s big event, looking to lead his nation to success at the tournament. Szoboszlai even grabbed an assist against Bulgaria, his 12th goal contribution in 37 matches for Hungary.
PORTUGAL Diogo Jota will be on the plane to Germany having been in each one of Martinez’s squads since the former Everton boss took over in January, however, his role in qualification has been somewhat limited. Jota has only started two matches for Portugal during qualifying but has still managed two goals and two assists for his country.
Of course, there is the incredibly, incredibly slim chance that Fabio Carvalho, who is currently on loan at RB Leipzig, could make the squad. However, he has barely featured for the Bundesliga side this season and it would take countless injuries for him to even be considered by Martinez.
SCOTLAND While Scotland have surrendered their place at the top of Group A, they are guaranteed a spot at the tournament after seeing off Erling Haaland’s Norway and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s Georgia.
Andy Robertson will have recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered on international duty back in October by the time next summer rolls around, with the Scotland skipper a key figure on and off the pitch for his country.
There is also the chance that young winger Ben Doak could be included in Clarke’s squad. The 18-year-old is edging closer to his first senior cap, but Euro 2024 could come slightly too early for the Liverpool man. While Calvin Ramsay could also make it to Euro 2024 given he’s already a full Scotland international, his injuries have wreaked havoc on his development. The right-back is yet to feature for Preston North End after his summer loan move.
SPAIN There is a decent chance that no Liverpool players make it into Luis de la Fuente’s squad, with Thiago the only realistic candidate. However, even when fit, the midfielder has often been omitted from recent Spain squads. Yet to play this season because of injury, the 32-year-old looks unlikely to play at Euro 2024. Someone who would be an even more surprise inclusion would be Stefan Bajcetic. The young midfielder has also had plenty of injuries this year and is yet to earn a senior cap for Spain. With the quality midfielders at De La Fuente’s disposal, Bajcetic will almost certainly be left behind.
While the international break may not be the most entertaining time for Liverpool supporters, it’s certainly a significant period for the club’s players.
Gareth Southgate’s England play twice over the November international break in Euro 2024 qualifying, but the Three Lions have already qualified as group winners for the tournament.
Alongside England, France will undoubtedly be one of the favourites for next summer’s competition. Didier Deschamps’ side made it to the World Cup final in Qatar, losing on penalties to Alexis Mac Allister’s Argentina, but will be confident of making it deep at Euro 2024.
A fiery and dramatic 2-2 draw with Bulgaria on Thursday evening secured Hungary’s spot at Euro 2024, with a 97th-minute Alex Petkov own goal grabbing them the point they needed to secure qualification.
To say Portugal’s qualification path has been straightforward would be an understatement. Roberto Martinez’s side have won all nine of their matches in Group J, scoring 34 goals and conceding two in some simple fixtures.
One of the surprise early qualifiers for Euro 2024 were Scotland. Steve Clarke has done a magnificent job with the Tartan Army and they will deservedly take their spot at a second consecutive Euros.
The nation that qualified alongside Scotland in Group A was Spain. The 2008 and 2012 European champions will also be among the tournament favourites, especially having won the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League.
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