Many of Liverpool’s international players have been engaged in Euro 2024 qualifying activity throughout this month’s break, and a handful are already on their way home.
After defeating Greece 3-0 at home last week, Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo made it two victories in a row in September by coming from behind to overcome the Republic of Ireland 2-1 on Sunday in Dublin (with Caoimhn Kelleher among the substitutes for the losing side).
Dominik Szoboszlai’s Hungary only had one qualifying match scheduled for this round, winning 2-1 away in Serbia on Thursday before drawing 1-1 in a friendly match with Czechia. Kostas Tsimikas was suspended as Greece defeated Gibraltar 5-0 to avenge their setback in the Netherlands.
Diogo Jota hopes to play in Portugal’s match against Luxembourg on Monday after being an unutilized substitute in the team’s victory over Slovakia the previous time around.
The next day, England will play host to Scotland at Hampden Park in a match to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the oldest international football match in history, which will be led by Andy Robertson.
Before domestic play resumes this weekend, here is Liverpool.com’s analysis of some of the major storylines in European football right now.
Luka Vukovi is likely to go from Liverpool.
According to the Evening Standard, Tottenham Hotspur and Luka Vukovi, who is wanted by Liverpool and Manchester City, have reached an agreement for a two-year contract.
The 16-year-old center-back, who competes for Hadjuk Split in Croatia, has been linked with Liverpool, Chelsea, PSG, and City, but Spurs have made a ‘breakthrough’ in negotiations to win the race.
Vukovi is expected to stay with the team until the summer of 2025, when he will reach 18 years old. Although the transfer fee hasn’t been verified, it is estimated to be around $15 million (£12 million/€14 million).
When you consider Vukovi’s incredible development as a player in his mid-teens, it makes sense why there is such a strong demand for his signing, according to Liverpool.com.
He made his Hadjuk Split debut in the tail end of the previous campaign, starting seven of his team’s final 14 league games as well as the Croatian Cup quarterfinal and semifinal.
Vukovi currently represents his country as an under-17 international, but if he continues on this path, it might not be long before he is called up to the senior team.
Although Liverpool’s center-back transfer need is more urgent — the team needs someone who can fight for starts immediately, not to mention in 2025 — it will still hurt to miss out on a wonderkid on the continent, emerging.
After receiving a suspension from Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk again engaged in an altercation with the referee after giving up a penalty in the Netherlands’ victory over Ireland.
Within the first four minutes of the game, Van Dijk was called for a penalty for what appeared to be a handball, and Adam Idah promptly stepped up to score the penalty.
According to The Mirror, the 32-year-old lost his cool after the spot kick was awarded and gave the referee a “earful.”
First things first, the penalty call was a little harsh, so you can understand Van Dijk’s annoyance, but he should be careful to contain his outbursts, according to Liverpool.com.
He recently witnessed a one-match suspension for a last-man challenge on Alexander Isak of Newcastle United be increased to a two-match suspension after confessing to acting in a “improper” manner and using “abusive and/or insulting” language towards the referee
The Reds captain issued a message on his Instagram account after the FA’s decision was made public. He claimed he accepted “full responsibility” for the incident and promised to “move forward,” but this will require a change in his behaviour going forward.
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