Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah Missing the Euros: Blessing in Disguise for Liverpool
For Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah, missing out on England’s European Championship squad may feel like a setback now. However, this could ultimately prove beneficial for both the players and Liverpool.
Rest and Recovery: The Hidden Advantage
Representing England at the Euros would undoubtedly have been a milestone in their careers. Travelling around Germany with one of the tournament favourites holds great appeal, and the experience gained from participating in a major international competition is invaluable. Yet, there’s a silver lining to their omission. Both Jones and Quansah can now enjoy a well-deserved break, giving their bodies a chance to recover after a gruelling season. They will return to pre-season training fresh and ready to make a strong impression on Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot. This head start could prove crucial in the long run.
Curtis Jones: Time for Reflection and Renewal
Jones’s exclusion from the England squad was not unexpected. Although he has yet to earn a senior cap, his role as an observer against Bosnia & Herzegovina suggested his chances of making Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man squad were slim. Even if he had been called up, his impact on the tournament would likely have been minimal, given the competition for places.
Jones ended his Liverpool season struggling for form and rhythm. When fit and in form, Jones was a key player under Jurgen Klopp, known for his ball retention and pressing intensity. However, by the season’s end, he appeared in need of a break. Despite this, he shouldn’t feel disheartened. Southgate personally informed Jones that he had been impressed by his training performances and recognised his progress throughout the campaign. A strong start under Slot could see him return to the England fold.
Pre-Season Advantage
Liverpool usually grants their international players around three weeks off following major tournaments. Should England reach the final on July 14, those players would return just as the new season begins. This scenario is manageable when a manager has been in place for several seasons, as was the case last summer when Klopp knew Jones’s capabilities and role within his system. However, this summer is different. Every player returning to Liverpool’s Kirkby training ground in early July must impress new staff and adapt to a potentially new system, especially if Slot favours the 4-2-3-1 formation he utilised at Feyenoord.
Competition and Opportunity in Midfield
The competition for midfield positions will be intense. Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, who joined Liverpool last summer, made significant impressions with their pre-season performances. Last summer, Jones returned late after an impressive European Under-21 Championship campaign, which saw him playing catch-up during pre-season. This year, Jones has the opportunity to capitalise on an early return. With Szoboszlai (Hungary), Mac Allister (Argentina), and Ryan Gravenberch (Netherlands) all involved in summer tournaments, Jones, along with Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, and Stefan Bajcetic, can benefit from having a head start.
Jarell Quansah: Poised for a Breakthrough
Quansah’s initial inclusion in Southgate’s provisional squad was a surprise, yet it was a testament to his rapid rise from obscurity to Liverpool’s first-choice centre-half alongside Virgil van Dijk. His standby status underscores his growing reputation. With Van Dijk (Netherlands) and Ibrahima Konate (France) likely to progress deep into the Euros, Quansah’s early return for pre-season offers him the chance to secure a spot in Slot’s preferred centre-back pairing. As Slot integrates other young centre-backs like Sepp van den Berg, Quansah, who made 34 first-team appearances last season, will be expected to lead at the age of 21.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s inclusion in England’s squad was expected. Gomez has re-established himself as a reliable and versatile option, providing Slot with multiple tactical possibilities. However, the bigger challenge may be Alexander-Arnold’s role. It remains unclear whether Slot views him as a right-back or a central midfielder. If the latter, as part of a double pivot, both player and manager will have limited time to refine this change before the season starts.
In conclusion, while missing the Euros might seem like a setback for Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah, it could turn out to be a blessing for their careers at Liverpool. Rested and rejuvenated, they have the chance to impress their new manager and stake their claim in the team, setting the stage for a promising season ahead.
