Liverpool players are gearing up to represent their countries at the summer international tournaments.
So far, a total of 17 of the Liverpool squad have been called up, with 13 heading to the Euros and four going to Copa America. And if this week’s international friendlies are anything to go by, the Reds are in good shape.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was excellent for England on Monday, getting a goal and turning in a top quality midfield performance. Darwin Nunez then bettered that, scoring a hat-trick for Uruguay against Mexico.
There has been some disappointment thrown in too, though. Dominik Szoboszlai was criticised by his manager at Hungary for a slack display against Ireland, while Ibrahima Konate got some rough treatment in the French press as well.
And there is reportedly now set to be further upset for two Liverpool players on Thursday.
Gareth Southgate makes call on Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah
It was good to see Alexander-Arnold doing well for England on Monday. The 25-year-old is underappreciated outside of Anfield.
Joe Gomez got on the pitch again too, as the defender continues his renaissance with the national team.
Liverpool do have two more players in the current England set-up, although neither got on the pitch against Bosnia and Herzegovina
“As well as James Maddison, Curtis Jones has been informed he won’t be part of England’s final 26-man squad for the Euros,” says Law.
“Liverpool team-mate Jarell Quansah also expected to miss out. That’s 3 of 7 decisions made so far…”
No surprise on Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah
While this is disappointing for both Jones and Quansah, it will not come as a big surprise to either.
The pair had always felt like two of the most likely names to be cut when Southgate whittled down his squad.
The England manager had expressed his excitement over Jones immediately after calling him up. But after the Liverpool academy graduate didn’t make an appearance on Monday, his exclusion felt inevitable.
For Quansah, the picture is slightly different. His call-up came a little unexpectedly, so much so that the Quansah had to cancel his holiday plans.
And while he looks to have potential future with the Three Lions, it is arguably a little too early to place such expectation on the 21-year-old.
The experience of being around the group will have been a good one for both he and Jones, though. No doubt they’ll be champing at the bit to be back as soon as they can.