THINGS were going just to well, weren’t they? 2nd in the Premier League – still – after one of the most scintillating derbies in living memory and seeing two of our big rivals for a top-four place drop points on Sunday, we were starting to look very healthy as we get into the meat of the season.
Then we learn that not only was Daniel Sturridge playing with an injury, but he also chose to put himself further at risk by accepting ‘the call’ of the clearly very enigmatic Roy Hodgson which has clearly gone and wound up his club manager, Brendan Rodgers.
How the England manager has managed to escape criticism for playing a clearly injured – not to mention, unfit – Daniel Sturridge against Germany is beyond me but clearly the issue of Rodgers vs Sturridge is of much more value to the press, as they look to throw a spanner in the works of what has been a superb start to the season for the Reds.
In all honesty, Rodgers should never have spoken openly on the issue of why Sturridge wasn’t playing from the start on Saturday. I’m more than sympathetic that he was annoyed – it’s bad enough having to put up with clueless international managers risking your players in meaningless friendlies without the player themselves putting themselves at risk but he still obviously has a fair bit to learn about managing a top club.
But Sturridge’s comments to the press on Tuesday were even more ill-advised. I believe that these are the kinds of matters that need to be dealt with internally, and while Rodgers comments were unnecessary and gave the press some ammunition, the players comment were idiotic and he should never have openly – even if only subtly – hit back at his manager in this way.
Speaking on Tuesday, Sturridge said:
“For me, regardless of what condition you are in, if you are selected by the manager of England you go out there and do the best you can, regardless of whether you are injured or not.
“The manager [Roy Hodgson] gave me that opportunity and it was a pleasure to put the England shirt on.
“Fit or not fit, you go out and do your best.”
All very admirable, of course, but we’ve been in situations with players (strangely, often strikers) putting England before Liverpool – as in the cases of Owen and Crouch – and it did not end well for them, so it is very disappointing to read that Sturridge was willing to risk injury in a game that not even the German’s were taking seriously, when the most important game of our season so far was just days away.
The best thing that can happen now though, is that the manager and club ensures that this is the last we read about it. We’re in too good a position to let internal strife be aired in the press and let our season become derailed of petty squabbling.
Rodgers should make certain that both he and the player have learned their lessons. By all means, make his feelings about what Sturridge did clear to the player, but do it in the privacy of the training ground and make it clear to him that we pay his wages and he therefore must put the good of the club that has made him one of the league’s most feared strikers before that of his country.
The irony is, of course, that without having moved to Liverpool in January and being giving the chance to play regularly, as a striker, Sturridge wouldn’t even have a look in for next summer’s World Cup and the next time the England manager asks him to put himself in the firing line, when he is struggling for fitness and with injury, he should remember that it is the Liverpool fans that will stand by him until he is fit again.
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The lad wanted to make sure he was on the plane to Brazil – can’t say I blame him!
Had Sturridge not play he would be selected nevertherless because he is a goo striker. He only needs to prove it with his cub first.. that’s why a player get selected.
Putting it to bed in private is d best.
Agree with article . BR needs to keep his mouth shut more. All players should jump at chance to play for country.
He was given a top opportunity playing for Liverpool. We pay for his mcclaren so if he don’t put the club first move him on at a profit of course. Kinda brainless actions don’t bite the hand that feeds.
I luv dis post, these r d kindda msges our media ought 2 be providing, very matured post, Tumbs up @ op
Rodgers is just trying to hide his own stupid failings in the transfer market, if he hadnt signed Aspas and Borini for a combined 16m then we could had another top class striker to play when and if Sturridge or Suarez is injured. Simple really.
If he hadn’t wasted 75m on Allen Borini Aspas Assaidi sakho sahin llori and a goalie we didn’t need – we could have bought 3 world class strikers
You dont get it,the 1st match in the season would have lost against Stoke if not for those signing
Wow. Looks like some Liverpool “managers” in the making here. Pointless article followed by even more pointless comments. Sturrudge has been fantastic. Support him. Who ever is manager of Liverpool, support him. People forget what supporting Liverpool means. #notliketheothers
This aint Twitter you moron
??? Wtf ??? Moronic comment Jason. Whoever is manager support him ? Happy under hodgson were you ?
I understand the animosity towards Rodgers but second with a good part of the season gone isn’t bad. Unless I’m missing something.
Hodgson was a tw at. No one should support him, however if he placed us second at this time of year, he’d have deserved more time.
Yes we have had an easy start but in seasons gone by the easy teams we have so far beaten we struggled against, now we have beat them, personally I’m pleased about that.
It’s not Rodgers fault we have had an ‘easy’ start, he didn’t compile the fixture list.
I’d rather have an easy start, build confidence and still challenge than have a hard start and be nowhere by now.
But that’s just me and dont expect everyone to agree.
Some transfers have failed, some exquisite. All I know is that when looking at the league table, right now, it’s pleasing. Been a long time since we could say that.
For once, next year…… Is currently coming true.
He needs to be better in the transfer market, come January, if still second, we have a better chance of signing good players.
Change the manager again, at this time, we’d be seen as a joke club. Again this is only my personal opinion.
Shut up u cretin
Hiring Rodgers made us a joke club , that rep won’t go away as long as he is manager , good start or not the man is not a proper manager.
Lets say, you’re right & John Henry just read your comment & agreed with you, Br will get his marching orders tomorrow & then what??? Care to weigh in on the choice of our next manager??
Not having a go Hussain but it was H&G that made us a joke club, summarised by the appointment of signing Hodgson, then Konchesky, Cole and Poulson.
Then carried on by overspending on Carroll, Downing, Adam and Henderson.
We can’t be second (easy start), best start for five years, have two quality strikers bang on form, excellent goalkeeper and good defence record, good prospects of youth coming through (for a change) and be more of a joke than previous regimes. Can we?
Then hired a work experience trainee manager who signed more deadwood in allen , aspas , assaidi , Borini etc etc . The arrogant fool then is responsible for the sacking of our excellent heads of the academy. So yes , very much still a joke , rogers is why no top players want to come .
I think no Champions League is the reason top players chose to sign for other clubs,
Liverpool always attracted top players without CL and spurs had no problems getting top players last summer . No . The problem is Rogers
Maybe your right Michael, I change my mind.
Top players won’t sign for Rodgers until he’s won the world cup or something, even tho they personally have said Champions League is where they wanna be, that’s why Suarez wanted to leave for CL football.
Lets get rid of this loser who is dragging us down to second.
No point reasoning with some of these inbred gits on this site, the amount of negative comments on every article is just sad.
+1
wish rodgers would keep his trap shut , he is embarrassing .
Our best 11 for 4 4 2 formation is mig, glen, skrt, agger,enq, lucas, hen,gerrard, mos, and sas. Then 3 5 1 formation is mig, glen, toure, skrt,sakho, enq, lucas, ger, hend,nd sas. Rodgers getting it wrong. Shud hav been top of the leaque.
For u guys criticising Br signings how many times have Br been denied his dream buys.C’mon guys it’s not his fault.If u are given 20mil u better gamble on those u knew b4 and Assaidi is not even his choice.Ok