There are football matches, and then there are moments that feel like chapters pulled straight from the soul of the game. The 2026 FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and Liverpool belonged firmly to the latter category—a spectacle layered with intensity, tactical nuance, emotional swings, and the kind of drama that reminds us why the FA Cup continues to hold a special place in football’s heart. This was not merely a contest between two elite teams; it was a collision of philosophies, identities, and legacies. It was the relentless precision of a modern machine versus the raw, emotional surge of a club built on passion and belief. It was control against chaos, patience against urgency, structure against spontaneity. And for ninety minutes—and beyond—it delivered everything one could hope for from a cup tie of this magnitude. The Weight of Expectation By the time the quarter-final arrived, both teams had already navigated demanding schedules and high expectations. For Mancheste...
We now know the provisional England squad for Euro 2024, which takes place this summer.
Gareth Southgate has named a large 33-man squad, which will be reduced to 26 players before the plane leaves for Germany.
The Three Lions will have one of the most skilled football teams in the tournament, making them a strong contender to win the Henri Delaunay trophy for the first time.That means that many big-name players have missed out on a spot in the team, and some of them may consider themselves unlucky not to be included in the manager's plans. Others have simply not performed well enough.
Southgate's major absences from the England squad for Euro 2024:Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford's form has plummeted this season after scoring 30 goals for Manchester United the previous season. He has only scored eight goals and has battled injuries. Once regarded as a key member of the England team, there is simply too much quality in the wide spaces to accommodate him now.
Jordan Henderson
Jordan Henderson, who left Liverpool last summer in pursuit of a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia, now finds himself at Ajax with none of that money and no place in England's squad less than a year later. The former captain has suffered a significant decline in reputation.
Reece James
Reece James, one of the most skilled and gifted footballers of his time, has suffered a string of terrible injuries. The right-back returned to Chelsea near the end of the season, but his stint was cut short with a red card against Brighton. There simply wasn't enough time for him to persuade Southgate.
Dominic Solanke
A career-high 19 goals in a Premier League season would ordinarily be enough to get you into the England squad, but Dominic Solanke is still waiting for his second appearance. The writing was on the wall when the Bournemouth striker was not called up for the March internationals, with Southgate instead selecting Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney to back up Harry Kane.
Ben Chilwell
Being a Chelsea full-back means always worrying about injuries. Ben Chilwell is one of England's better choices on the left side of the back four, but he only started nine Premier League games this season.
Jadon Sancho
It's hardly surprising that Jadon Sancho did not make the cut, given that his last England cap was in 2021. However, the winger had hoped that his good performances on loan at Borussia Dortmund would earn him a chance.
Harvey Elliott
This event may have come too soon for Harvey Elliott. The Liverpool teenager has had a breakout season, with three goals and six assists in the Premier League. He only made 11 top-flight starts, which likely kept him from making the step up to international level.
Ben White
We all expected Ben White wouldn't be picked, but it's still surprising that one of the season's top defenders won't be going to Euro 2024. The Arsenal player reportedly fell out with assistant Steve Holland, triggering his early departure from the 2022 World Cup. He has not played for England since.
Levi Colwill
Chelsea hasn't had a fantastic year, but Levi Colwill has been one of the club's best defensive players. The 21-year-old, who can play both centrally and on the left, was largely expected to make the cut. With his absence, Luke Shaw is the sole specialist left-back in the team.
Nick Pope
In this writer's opinion, Nick Pope is the greatest goalkeeper available to Southgate, but a dislocated shoulder in December sidelined him for more than five months. He returned for Newcastle United's final game of the season, but there is simply too much competition in goal for the manager to bring someone who has recently recovered from a significant injury.
Kalvin Phillips
To no one's surprise, Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips did not make the squad. The 28-year-old joined West Ham on loan in January to keep his England hopes alive, but it turned out to be a nightmare for the former Leeds United star.
Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling, another player who was once an integral part of Southgate's ambitions, is now on the outside looking in. It's not a stunning omission, given the Chelsea winger has clearly declined over the last two seasons.
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