Liverpool fans have some good reasons to take in the action from Euro 2024 over the next few weeks.
The first of those reasons is that the football is back. After almost a month of pining for Jurgen Klopp, there is finally something else to distract with.
Another motive for Liverpool supporters is of course to check on the progress of their players. 10 members of the Reds squad will be featuring out in Germany and many will believe that their country can win the tournament.
Finally, with the transfer window open, there is an opportunity to cast an eye over potential new signings. The likes of reported Liverpool target Johan Bakayoko, for example, are primed to explode.
Aside from these three big reasons though, Reds fans have an additional, bonus, basis for watching the European Championships.
Liverpool fans should be watching Vitezslav Jaros
It is not often that a player from the Liverpool academy is called up to a major international tournament.
The Reds are obviously well used to first-team players being involved and very occasionally winning things with their countries. But for their youngsters, it just doesn’t happen.
That trend has been bucked this year, with academy goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros called up for the Czech Republic.
Jaros, who has excelled on-loan with Sturm Graz since January – even made his debut for the senior national team during Friday’s 7-1 win over Malta.
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At 22, Jaros is not as young as some who have been loaned out by Liverpool this season. But for a goalkeeper, he’s still a baby.
For him to be already mixing it with the stars of his country is a real testament to the steps Jaros has made in recent seasons.
And while he does not travel to Germany as Ivan Hasek’s first choice goalkeeper, perhaps there’s still a chance that Jaros can force his way in.
In the Czech Republic’s two warm-up friendlies, Jaros and Matej Kovar played 45 minutes each, while Jindrich Stanek played 90. Kovar has just two caps and Stanek only 10. The door could still be open for Jaros.
Vitezslav Jaros ready for Liverpool role
It has been clear for a little while that Jaros has potential to be a first-teamer at Liverpool.
Rewind the clock back 12 months and Jaros was being called ‘terrific‘ during the European U21 Championships.
As a senior player, the Czech now has over 80 appearances under his belt. Many of them have come in the lower leagues of England and Scotland, but playing time is important for a young ‘keeper.
With Caoimhin Kelleher likely to move on from Liverpool this summer, things looked primed for Jaros to take his place.
We believe that if he can somehow force his way into the starting spot for his country over the next month, then that will become almost undeniable.
Even if that appears not to be the case, Liverpool fans should listen out for appraisals of Jaros as the Czech’s aim to at least make it out of the group.