Jurgen Klopp sends Gareth Southgate message after England scrape past Slovakia

Liverpool hero Jurgen Klopp is confident that Gareth Southgate’s England team will improve as Euro 2024 progresses and believes the Three Lions still have a chance of lifting the trophy come the end of the tournament. Southgate’s side were dismal for most of their showdown with Slovakia on Sunday but cemented a spot in the quarter-finals after winning the match in extra time.

Jude Bellingham netted a remarkable 95th-minute equaliser courtesy of a sensational bicycle kick after his side had found themselves 1-0 down for most of the encounter.

And Harry Kane proved to be the match winner after heading in from close range at the start of extra time. The result means England will now face Switzerland in the quarter-finals in Dusseldorf on Saturday.

In the other half of the Euro 2024 draw, Germany and Spain will go head-to-head in their quarter-final on Friday, with the likes of France, Portugal and Belgium also vying for silverware.

Klopp was quizzed by ESPN presenter Agos Larocca about this summer’s tournament as he attended the Mallorca Tennis Championships in Santa Ponsa, close to where he owns a home, at the weekend.

And the German explained: “At the moment it looks a little bit like Spain could do it. But Germany Is good, France can be good, and England will be better, definitely.”

Klopp was then asked about the Copa America, which is currently taking place in the USA. Argentina have already booked their place in the quarter-finals, with Brazil aiming to follow suit when they take on Colombia on Tuesday night.

And the ex-Borussia Dortmund boss hedged his bets as he tipped his winner of that tournament as he added: “Argentina [could win].

“Or Brazil. Or Colombia. Or Uruguay. I texted yesterday with [Liverpool goalkeeper] Alisson. I cannot make that decision.”

England will need to drastically improve if they are to go on and win their first ever European Championship in Germany.

And following his team’s victory over Slovakia, Southgate exclaimed: “I had a funny feeling the game wasn’t dead, and I know that sounds ridiculous. We were pushing and probing. Ultimately it is the one we have thrown in the box that got us the goal.

“I’m so proud of the players and the spirit the lads showed. Everybody we put into the game played a part and helped us get over the line. They are all pushing and helping each other and tonight [they did the same]. That made the difference.

“Under that pressure they kept probing. In the end it is the old-fashioned long throw that gets the goal. Those moments can happen when you keep wearing a team down.”