Euro 2016 Offers Opportunity for Liverpool's For-Sale Trio to Shine
Euro 2016 sees Liverpool with 12 players representing their country in France, more than any other Premier League club and a number matched only by Italian league winners Juventus.
The Reds have five players in Roy Hodgson's England squad—Nathaniel Clyne, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge—and a trio in Marc Wilmots' talented Belgium squad—Simon Mignolet, Divock Origi and Christian Benteke.
Adding to those names are Welsh duo Joe Allen and Danny Ward, Emre Can for Germany, and Martin Skrtel with Slovakia.
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While goalkeepers Mignolet and Ward may not get any playing time at the tournament—firmly back-ups to their respective national-team No. 1s—the rest should feature plenty.
Can, Benteke and Origi aren't likely to be in their respective starting XIs from the off, but they should feature from the bench and will likely find more playing time as the tournament progresses—with games arriving thick and fast, squad rotation will be utilised.
As for the England quintet, it's difficult to call exactly who features most prominently in Hodgson's initial starting XI plans.
Clyne appears to have fallen behind Kyle Walker at right-back, with the Tottenham Hotspur man starting two of the three warm-up games and being handed the No. 2 shirt.
In midfield, Milner has been handed No. 4 and Lallana No. 8—not definitive proof of starting roles, but perhaps a strong indicator that both will be heavily involved.
Henderson has been a firm favourite under Hodgson but could miss out on a starting berth to begin with due to the emergence of Tottenham duo Eric Dier and Dele Alli, plus the Liverpool captain's troubled season with injuries.
Henderson, Milner and Lallana's chances aren't helped by the possibility of Hodgson opting for Wayne Rooney in a midfield role—anything to get the Manchester United player in the side, despite the clear problems that creates.
Up front, Sturridge is highly unlikely to start, with Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane ahead of him, plus United youngster Marcus Rashford.
As with any major international tournament, players will be scouted and quite often signed following their performances on the big stage, even if that's a formula that isn't always successful—see Salif Diao, who joined Liverpool after the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Perhaps it's this idea of the world watching that has seen Mario Gotze insist to Bild he will remain at Bayern Munich this summer (h/t Sky Sports), amid earlier interest from Liverpool over a reunion with Reds manager Jurgen Klopp. Does the Germany international perhaps think a good showing at the Euros will improve his chances of moving to a club in the Champions League?
Players in similar positions to Gotze will be playing for a move, attempting to impress. In some situations, their current club will also be hoping their player impresses, meaning their price tag goes up accordingly.
That's certainly the case for the Liverpool trio of Allen, Benteke and Skrtel.
All three are expected to leave Anfield this summer after playing bit-part roles last season and Klopp looking to strengthen this summer. Their squad status, plus Liverpool's lack of European football next season, means moves away are on the agenda.
Joe Allen
Allen is a player whom Liverpool will feel can boost his asking price with a good tournament with Wales—for whom he is a guaranteed starter in Chris Coleman's plans.
The Express' Paul Joyce revealed this week in an interview with This Is Anfield that Liverpool were asking for at least £8-10 million for the 26-year-old.
Allen improved his stock with some solid appearances under Klopp as the season developed, acquiring something of a cult status among fans and often proving an effective substitute.
But with just a year remaining on his contract at Anfield, a move away looks certain given Liverpool's wealth of centre midfielders already at their disposal, plus new signing Marko Grujic to come in and Klopp reportedly eyeing German midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud, according to Joyce.
Former club Swansea City have already been linked with a return for Allen, something their chairman Huw Jenkins admitted they're interested in.
Jenkins told the South Wales Evening Post:
"I think it has been well-documented that Joe is going to look at his future when he is finished out at Euro 2016.
Naturally, we are interested in good players like Joe who may be available this summer given that he has a year left on his contract.
Obviously we will keep tabs on his situation and see what happens later in the summer.
"
Allen may be keen on a move back to Wales, or he may have his eye on a move to a club in Europe. He's certainly good enough to play for a team such as Southampton or West Ham United.
Wales face Slovakia, England and Russia in Group B, with Allen likely to start all three games—injuries permitting. Coleman's side will be eyeing progress to the knockout stages, especially with Gareth Bale in attack.
Allen was one of Wales' most consistent performers during qualifying, putting in a particularly impressive performance against Belgium in November 2014.
The 0-0 draw was hard-earned, with Allen the deepest midfielder, playing alongside Crystal Palace star Joe Ledley. Up against Marouane Fellaini, Allen put in a combative performance, making seven tackles on the night, according to WhoScored.com (h/t This Is Anfield).
Such performances in France will ensure Allen's stock rises, and interest in him will be high this summer. Somebody will get a very capable Premier League midfielder.
Christian Benteke
While Allen has one year left on his contract and is a guaranteed starter for his country, Benteke is in a different situation.
Signed just a year ago for £32.5 million, the striker's struggles last season mean he's unlikely to start for his country at the Euros.
Everton's Romelu Lukaku looks set to lead the attack, supported by the likes of Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne.
With Origi also in better form, plus Dries Mertens and Michy Batshuayi in the squad, Benteke will struggle for playing time.
However, the former Aston Villa man could provide an option from the bench for Belgium head coach Marc Wilmots, and a positive showing would boost the Liverpool No. 9's confidence.
Speaking this week, Benteke insists he wants to remain at Liverpool—but only if he features in Klopp's plans.
"At 25 years old, I’m neither old nor young but it’s important to play," he said at a Belgium press conference ahead of Euro 2016.
"I still have a contract at Liverpool and I’d like to stay there, if I remain in the coach’s plans. If that’s not the case, it will become difficult to stay. I’ll think about if after the Euros."
At the end of last season, Benteke found himself behind Sturridge, Origi and Roberto Firmino in Klopp's forward pecking order. It's quite possible that Danny Ings will also be ahead of him next season. Liverpool won't be keeping such an expensive asset around to be fourth or fifth choice.
Benteke is a good footballer, but he is just not suited to the Reds' style of play. He will continue to score goals in the Premier League, and Liverpool will be hoping he finds opportunity to shine at the Euros, therefore improving the likelihood of recouping as much as possible of that £32.5 million.
Martin Skrtel
Much like Benteke, Skrtel found himself firmly out of favour at the end of last season. Even with Mamadou Sakho's suspension, Klopp opted for 35-year-old Kolo Toure alongside Dejan Lovren in defence.
Skrtel, often derided as the one constant in Liverpool's constantly fragile defence of recent years, is no longer required at Anfield—especially with Joel Matip arriving from Schalke 04 this summer.
After eight years on Merseyside, Skrtel's exit is assured—well, "90 percent certain," according to his agent, per TV Markiza (h/t Talksport).
Premier League new boys Middlesbrough had been linked with a move for the 31-year-old, but reports in the north-east this week suggested they've since passed on the opportunity, per the Northern Echo. Wages could well have been the problem there. Turkey now looks Skrtel's most likely destination.
But, much like Allen and Benteke, Skrtel is a player who can still provide a solid game for a Premier League side, and a good showing for Slovakia in France could remind some managers of his qualities.
While out of favour for Liverpool, Skrtel remains a key player for his country, captaining the national side—for whom he has 80 caps.
The fact Slovakia are in the same group as England and Wales could benefit Skrtel, as it will put him up against players he knows well and also ensure plenty of focus in the British media.
With two years left on his contract, and his prime years behind him, Skrtel won't generate the money that Allen and Benteke should this summer, but a fee around £6-8 million would be welcome, with the latter more achievable should he put in a positive showing in the Euros.
Sales
With Premier League clubs having more money than ever to spend this summer due to the new TV deals, prices will already be inflated.
Liverpool can benefit from having players such as the highlighted trio at the Euros, putting them in the proverbial shop window.
It's a shame Mario Balotelli isn't in the Italy squad and able to put in positive performances that he did in the last European Championship four years ago.
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