England's Daniel Sturridge, front, celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the Euro 2016 Group B soccer match between England and Wales at the Bollaert stadium in Lens, France, Thursday, June 16, 2016. Behind are Marcus Rashford, left, and Jamie Vardy. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Positive but frustrating: Assessing Euro 2016 so far for Liverpool’s England internationals

As the European Championships take a brief pause ahead of the last-16 stage, we take a look at how the tournament has unfolded so far for the Liverpool players involved.

The joint most represented club at the competition, the Reds currently have 12 players in France battling to become European champions with their nations.

With every Red having progressed with their teams to the last-16 and nobody departing for an earlier than expected holiday, dreams for Jurgen Klopp’s players have taken a step closer to becoming reality.

While all Anfield men have overcome the first hurdle, successfully progressing from their groups, individual fortunes have been far more mixed, including in games against Merseyside teammates.

We assess how the tournament has panned out so far for each Red, and look ahead at what may be to come for Klopp’s men, starting with the England internationals.

Adam Lallana

LENS, FRANCE - Thursday, June 16, 2016: England's Adam Lallana in action against Wales during the UEFA Euro 2016 Championship Group B match at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Enjoying a key role in Roy Hodgson’s side, it’s been a positive tournament for Liverpool’s No.20 so far.

Key to the Three Lions’ front-footed and patient possession approach, Lallana has played an important role in England’s progress from his wide roles, where he was one of the top performers in all three Group B games.

Lallana was by far the most potent attacking threat in the opening clash with Russia and comfortably the best player for Hodgson’s side in the first 45 minutes against Wales, pulling the strings in attack.

However, for all his endeavour – he’s leads the way in tackles made per-game for England – and creation, his goal-scoring prowess has typically let him down, spurning some good chances to score that elusive first international goal to cap off his positive displays.

Having made three consecutive starts and impressing in each, the 28-year-old is almost certain to keep his place in Hodgson’s XI for the upcoming last-16 clash with Iceland.

Lallana will hope a first England goal that would confirm a productive tournament comes on Monday night.

Daniel Sturridge

LENS, FRANCE - Thursday, June 16, 2016: England's Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring his sides second goal against Wales during the UEFA Euro 2016 Championship Group B match at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. (Pic by Paul Greenwood/Propaganda)

It’s been something of a frustrating period so far for Sturridge in France.

England’s best striker has had to make do with a bit part role for the Three Lions, with most of his time on the pitch, when he has played, operating from the right flank.

Starting one group game against Slovakia – only doing so with Hodgson unable to ignore his match-winning second half display against Wales – Sturridge can count himself unlucky to not have played more with the creative influence he has shown.

Despite his limited game time he has proven his quality, playing a part in the equaliser and scoring the winner against Wales, alongside looking sharp in the goalless draw with Slovakia before bizarrely being replaced.

Sturridge unquestionably should start against Iceland, but with Hodgson as we know him, don’t be surprised to see him back on the bench.

With England nailed on to progress against the minnows however, he will hope for a quarter-final appearance if it isn’t forthcoming in the last-16 on Monday night.

Nathaniel Clyne

Picture by: Tim Goode / PA Wire/Press Association Images England's Nathaniel Clyne during the International Friendly at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo

Viewed as second choice right-back behind Kyle Walker, Clyne has seen his action restricted in France.

The Reds defender was unused in the first two games against Russia and Wales with Walker preferred, but he came in for the Slovakia draw for his first action of the competition.

Typically solid defensively and surprisingly impressive going forward – he played more key passes (7) in 90 minutes than anyone has managed for England in the whole competition so far – Clyne impressed hugely.

Helping the Three Lions to their only clean sheet of the tournament too, the 25-year-old will hope his excellent debut appearance will keep his place for the next game and beyond.

But with Walker seemingly first choice pick currently, the Spurs defender looks likely to return.

Jordan Henderson

Picture by: Tim Goode / PA Wire/Press Association Images England's Jordan Henderson during the International Friendly at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland.

Henderson is another who has been frustrated by a lack of game time so far – though likely a consequence of overcoming injury so close to the tournament kicking off.

The Reds captain has featured just once – completing 90 minutes in the goalless draw with Slovakia – but he took his chance with an overall promising showing.

Despite popular belief that he struggled, unfairly being made a scape goat for the bore draw, Henderson impressed as he influenced proceedings with slick link-up play and quick passing with his Liverpool teammates.

With Henderson one of six changes Hodgson made on the night without claiming victory, the England manager looks set to recall the names that saw his team play equally as poorly, but grind out a solitary win against Wales.

Liverpool’s skipper therefore looks likely to return to the bench and left further irritated by his restricted match action.

James Milner

James Milner, England (Picture by: Adam Davy / PA Archive/Press Association Images)

Normally a main-stay of Hodgson’s side, Milner’s tournament has certainly not gone as most would have expected due to circumstances that have played out.

The midfielder has played just three minutes in total, those coming as a late substitute when Hodgson looked to hang-on to his 1-0 lead against Russia, only to see his side concede in the last seconds.

Another error of judgement from Hodgson, the collapse has been placed upon Milner’s introduction, and the Reds’ vice-captain has not played a single minute since Vasili Berezutski’s leveller in Marseille.

Unless Hodgson decides to hang on for dear life and pack the midfield in the last-16 – or quarter-finals should England get there – it’s hard to see more minutes coming his way.

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