It’s so close that you can practically hear the roar of the crowd already. Yes folks, by the time you read this, Europe’s best will be gearing up for battle, with Euro 2016 glory on the line.
Kicking off this Friday with an opening Group A game between the host nation and Anghel Iordănescu’s Romania, the competition will see top flight stars from across the continent competing for the championship last won by two-time holders Spain back in 2014.
Whilst Liverpool FC won’t be represented by either the defending champions or the Euro 2016 host team, elsewhere, fans of The Reds will have plenty of opportunity cheer on their favourites, with no less than 12 Liverpool players competing in the competition.
Here’s a look at which of the club’s key stars will be taking to the pitch in France this summer, who they’ll be playing for, and when they’re likely to clash in the competition.
Group B
Two thirds of Liverpool’s European contingent will be represented in Group B, with players representing Wales, and Slovakia.
A look at football betting in the UK with William Hill reveals England to be the odds on favourites for their opening round match against Russia on June 11th, a prediction that no doubt has something to do with the appearance of five Liverpool stars among the lineup.
Attacking midfielder Adam Lallana, right-back Nathaniel Clyne, winger James Milner, and striker Daniel Sturridge will join central midfielder and current Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson in Roy Hodgson’s squad this summer. Together, they’ll be looking to take the national squad further than they reached back in 2012, when they were outmatched by Italy in the quarter-finals and sent home following a heartbreaking penalty shootout.
To get there however, Henderson et all will first have to do battle with three other Liverpool players in the group stages.
England vs. Wales
One of the most hotly anticipated matchups of the early part of the competition will see England take on Wales at Lens on June 16th.
The game, which kicks off at 2pm, will see the aforementioned England looking to get the ball past Liverpool and Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward. Joe Allen is also set to appear in midfield.
Slovakia
That won’t be the only time Anfield’s finest meet in the stadiums of France during Euro 2016.
Along with Russia, Group B is rounded off by a Slovakian international squad captained by Liverpool centre back Martin Skrtel.
Slovakia first meet Wales on day two of the competition (June 11th) at 5pm in Bordeaux, before playing one of the last Group B games in Saint-Etienne against England, a game which starts at 8pm on Monday June 20th.
Group C
Of course, Group B isn’t the only round of matches where you’ll see Liverpool players in action at the Euros.
Representing Germany, Liverpool’s star central midfielder Emre Can will join his countrymen in taking on the Ukraine on June 12th in Lile. From there, Joachim Löw’s side will head to Paris for a showdown with Poland on June 16th before rounding off their Group C campaign with a clash against Northern Ireland on June 21st, also set to take place at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris.
Group E
Last but by no means least, Liverpool is well-represented in Marc Wilmots’ Belgium side by three players.
Simon Mignolet will serve as the country’s goalkeeper for the tournament, with Liverpool forward Divock Origi and striker Christian Benteke also on the squad.
The team play their first match against Italy on June 13th at the Stade de Lyon before travelling to Bordeaux to take on the Republic of Ireland on June 18th. The squad’s group stage finishes up against Sweden at the Stade de Nice on June 22nd.
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