Liverpool will have four players representing their respective countries in the Euro 2024 and Copa America finals this weekend. Two of them, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez, helped England secure a late win in the Euro semi-final against the Netherlands. Gareth Southgate chose to keep both Liverpool defenders on the bench for the entire match.
Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo played the full match for the Netherlands but were left disappointed as England secured a 2-1 victory with a 90th-minute winner from Ollie Watkins. The game was not without controversy, as England was awarded a controversial penalty after VAR intervention. Many felt that referee Felix Zwayer made the wrong decision, as it appeared that Denzel Dumfries did not make contact with Harry Kane.
Van Dijk expressed his disappointment after the game, stating that he had no time to shake the referee’s hand. The Liverpool defender had a solid performance, winning three out of four duels, making six clearances, and having the most touches of any Netherlands player. However, he failed to win any of the tackles he contested.
Despite their exit from the tournament, Van Dijk, Gakpo, and Ryan Gravenberch will now have a well-deserved three-week break before returning for pre-season in August. Alexander-Arnold and Gomez will also join them after England’s Euro final against Spain on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in the Copa America final, either Alexis Mac Allister or Luis Diaz will lift the trophy as Argentina and Colombia face off. The match will take place shortly after the Euro final concludes. Uruguay’s Darwin Nunez, despite missing out on the final, will still have one more match to play in the third-place playoff against Brazil.
After their international duties are over, all the players mentioned will be granted a minimum of three weeks off before returning to their clubs in August. Liverpool fans can expect to see their players back in action for the upcoming season.