Brendan Rodgers’ attempt at subtlety has failed here, but in all honesty we don’t care.
His quotes today in the Express prove he’d clearly be furious if Daniel Sturridge was called up by Roy Hodgson for the international matches next weekend, and all Liverpool fans would too.
The striker, who scored twice versus Aston Villa at the weekend, is finally fit – but has had the past 12 months of his career ravaged by various debilitating injuries.
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Rodgers discusses possible Liverpool team v FC Sion
Rodgers has tried to be coy regarding the situation, putting the ball in England’s court, but has loudly reminded them that he’s just returned from a serious lay-off, claiming Hodgson’s staff should be ‘intelligent enough to see that’!
“For every player, you have to assess and analyse them individually,” began Rodgers. “Daniel has worked very, very hard and he has got back ahead of schedule.
“We have just got to make sure that we don’t break him at this stage. He is recovering from the game at the weekend and he is still building himself towards fitness.
“I haven’t spoken with the FA. I wouldn’t have any concern about him being selected.
“Daniel is back in the fold now and he is obviously one of the top English strikers. If he is back fit and performing, I would expect him to be chosen for the national team.
“But at this moment in time it is about making sure he is fit and ready for Liverpool.”
Sturridge is not expected to feature in our Europa League tie with FC Sion tomorrow, as Rodgers says he can’t play two games in four days.
“Not at the moment, no,” our manager answered.
“The guys with England are intelligent enough and I am sure they understand and will have a little conversation before they meet up.
“I don’t necessarily speak so much with international managers. When players go away, I let them deal with them.
“They are highly-qualified professionals who work at that level. But certainly with Daniel’s case, it is certainly worth me noting to the FA about where he is at in this period of his fitness.
“I suspect that he is a player who is coming back and Roy and his staff are intelligent enough to see that.
“I’m sure him being in the squad, they will manage it accordingly.”
We can’t think of anything more stupid than rushing Sturridge back, considering England have already qualified for Euro 2016 and the upcoming matches versus Estonia and Lithuania essentially mean nothing.
While we don’t mind seeing Adam Lallana, James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne in the squad, our distain for Hodgson would reach unfathomable levels if he risked Sturridge unnecessarily.