Nathaniel Clyne discusses rumoured rift with former Liverpool manager

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Nathaniel Clyne has been forced to deny rumours of a potential rift with England manager and former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson, after being left out of the Three Lions’ Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia last month.

England won the game 3-2, with Hodgson choosing Manchester United defender Phil Jones at right-back instead of Clyne, who was instead introduced as a substitute in the final minutes of the game.

The 24-year-old, who has five caps for his country, admitted that he was disappointed to be left out but stressed that he hadn’t noticed any issues between himself and Hodgson.

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“I haven’t noticed anything,” he said in quotes taken by The Times. “Yes, I was disappointed. Every player would be disappointed not to play. I don’t think I showed any lack of respect or anything.

“I feel I’m good enough and that I should be playing, so yeah, I was disappointed, but football’s football and hopefully when the next game comes I will get the call-up and get some game time. It’s just made me more hungry to play, to push for it and get in the team.

“They do say once you are playing for a big club you get more of a look-in for the international team, but when I was playing at Southampton I was getting a look-in, so if I can just play as well as I was then, hopefully I can nail my spot as an international.”

Clyne joined Liverpool from Southampton when the transfer window opened at the start of July. He made his debut as a second-half substitute in the pre-season friendly against the Thai All-Stars and looked a real threat down the flank.

Last summer the Reds signed three players from the Saints – Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren – and the trio initially struggled to make an impact at Anfield. However, Clyne is confident that he’ll have no such problems this year.

“I’m confident in my ability and the player I am and that I can make the next step up,” he added, in quotes taken by the Daily Mirror. “I wouldn’t have moved if I didn’t think I was ready.”

“I spoke to a few of them before coming and they told me about how good the club is and it would be exciting if I joined them. So yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”

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