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Champions League final could impact England's Nations League plans

PAUL ELLIS / AFP / Getty

While Tottenham and Liverpool's progression to the Champions League final is undoubtedly a positive sign for English football, their participation in the marquee match could have a negative impact on the national team.

Up to nine players are expected to be absent when England begins preparations for June's Nations League finals, as national team members from Liverpool and Tottenham will not be available until June 2 at the earliest - the day after the Champions League's showpiece in Madrid.

That timeline would result in manager Gareth Southgate, who will name his squad next Thursday, having to wait almost two weeks after the first England players arrive at St George's Park before he has the luxury of coaching a full squad.

Furthermore, players arriving late will have only a few days to acclimate themselves before England's semifinal match against the Netherlands on June 6 in Portugal. Whether they win or lose the contest, England will play again three days later in either the final or the third-place match.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson, and Joe Gomez are the Liverpool players who are expected to be included in Southgate's squad, while Dele Alli, Kieran Trippier, Danny Rose, and Eric Dier represent Tottenham's English contingent. Spurs forward Harry Kane and defender Harry Winks are also expected to be called up to England if they manage to overcome their respective injuries.

England's opponents, the Netherlands, will have to wait on Liverpool duo Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum.

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