On the eve of the knock out phase of Euro 2020, it seems appropriate to have a look at how Liverpool players have been faring at the championships so far.
Ironically, those who’ve done best – Gini Wijnaldum for Holland and Xherdan Shaqiri for Switzerland – have either, in Wijnaldum’s case, left the club (for Paris St. Germain) – or, in Shaqiri’s case, have been strongly linked with a summer exit from Anfield.
Both midfielders have put in match-winning performances for their national teams, top-scoring and helping them qualify for the Round of 16, where Holland will play the Czech Republic, while Switzerland are set for a clash with current World Cup holders and tournament favourites France.
Last season, Liverpool fans suffered much frustration over the lack of goals coming from midfield and an over-reliance on Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané and new-boy Diogo Jota. It’s somewhat galling, then, to see Wijnaldum and Shaqiri proving to be so prolific in the group stages of the Euros. Indeed, Wijnaldum has been so good for Holland that many are questioning the wisdom of allowing such a player to leave the club and are wondering if Shaqiri’s performances have earned him another chance with the Reds.
Andy Robertson’s tournament ended early after a disappointing showing from Scotland. The Scots played well against England and perhaps deserved more than a 0-0, but the point it earned them was the only one they managed to achieve, losing their two other games to Croatia and the Czech Republic.
Robertson’s performances were what you expect from him, dynamic, penetrating, creative but, unfortunately for Scotland, they didn’t have enough up front to capitalise on his good play.
With Trent Alexander Arnold out of the England squad with a leg injury sustained just before the tournament started, Jordan Henderson, himself only just back from injury, is the only Reds’ player selected by Gareth Southgate. In fact, Henderson has yet to start a match, with the manager preferring to play Calvin Phillips and Declan Rice ahead of him.
Wales have had another good tournament, qualifying for the last 16 where they’ll play Denmark. Both Neco Williams and Harry Wilson have featured for the Welsh, and both have been linked with moves away from Liverpool this summer.
Thiago Alcantara has only made substitute appearances for Spain, who got off to a slow start in the tournament, drawing their first two games against Sweden and Poland before crushing Slovakia 5-0 and reestablishing their credentials as one of the title favourites.
Diogo Jota has started all three of Portugal’s games and though his partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo has not looked a happy one – with the superstar No. 7 often appearing to complain about the Liverpool forward’s reluctance to pass to him in threatening situations – the current champions of Europe managed to get out of the group of death, beating Hungary, drawing with France and losing to Germany, though they now face an equally daunting task against Belgium, three wins out of three, and currently number one in the FIFA rankings.
Thiago Alcantara has only made substitute appearances for Spain, who got off to a slow start in the tournament, drawing their first two games against Sweden and Poland before crushing Slovakia 5-0 and reestablishing their credentials as one of the title favourites.
Diogo Jota has started all three of Portugal’s games and though his partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo has not looked a happy one – with the superstar No. 7 often appearing to complain about the Liverpool forward’s reluctance to pass to him in threatening situations – the current champions of Europe managed to get out of the group of death, beating Hungary, drawing with France and losing to Germany, though they now face an equally daunting task against Belgium, three wins out of three, and currently number one in the FIFA rankings.
