KLOPP’S LAST GAME SOUVENIR

The Euro rule change that could prolong season for more Liverpool players

May 4, 2024
Joanna Durkan

UEFA have increased the squad sizes for the upcoming European Championship, which could result in more Liverpool players seeing their seasons extended and missing the start of pre-season.

After a long, taxing season the last thing some clubs and fans want to see is their players jetting off to compete in a summer tournament.

For Liverpool, up to eight players are expected to be involved in this summer’s Euros, while a further four are to compete in Copa America at the same time.

However, UEFA’s announcement that the maximum squad size for teams competing in Euro ’24 will rise from 23 to 26 players could result in the abovementioned figure increasing for the Reds.

With more spots open, the likes of Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch will be in with a chance to be selected by England or the Netherlands, respectively.

Jones was recently name-checked by Gareth Southgate as a player England were looking at before his injury in March, while Elliott has been a standout at under-21 level.

And while Gravenberch has had a tumultuous time with the Netherlands’ selectors, the increase in squad size could elevate his chances of featuring alongside Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo.

Not only will a place at the Euros extend a player’s season, but it will also mean they are likely to report late to Arne Slot‘s first pre-season, with his arrival expected to be confirmed later this month.

Currently, the Reds’ pre-season schedule gets underway in the United States on July 26, when they meet Real Betis as the first of three Stateside friendlies – though they will report to training before then.

With the Euros running from June 14 to July 14 and the new Premier League season kicking off on August 17, it is another tight turnaround for Liverpool’s internationals.