I DON’T know about you but I’ve never really cared too much about England.
They’re constant underachievers, have been poorly managed for decades due to the FA’s low-risk manager selection process and are supported mainly by Londoner’s who only know one dreadful song.
Like most Liverpool supporters when asked if they would prefer England to win the World Cup or Liverpool to win the Premiership you don’t need an extensive opinion-poll to know what the vast majority would answer.
However, this time around it’s a slightly different story as there happens to be six of our lads in Roy’s 23-man squad for this year’s Euro’s. I’ll be watching with a lot more interest and naturally hoping all our lads get a chance to play and do well.
It’s interesting that even though Hodgson failed at Liverpool it seems he is still impressed by the quality of their English players, three of which Kenny brought in during his time as manager. I have to admit nothing gave me greater pleasure than to see Kelly called-up over Rio Ferdinand. Petty? Maybe, but most of those so called football critics fail to recognize that if England are to have any chance of developing into a team that can compete with the best then they have to start giving the younger players experience in major tournaments.
Hence Kelly, Henderson and Carroll being included. Nice one Roy. A lot of England fans feel that due to Liverpool’s underachieving season there shouldn’t be six Liverpool players in the squad but we know that’s nonsense with Gerrard, Johnson, Henderson, Downing, Carroll and Kelly all worthy of their call-up.
But as a Liverpool supporter the question is will their experience in the Euros set these six up for a more successful season starting in August? We know that Gerrard and Johnson will be automatic starters and for them, the Euro’s is another highlight in an already successful career. But you have to think that the opportunity and experience for the younger players will certainly give them a major confidence boost plus the chance to test themselves against some the of the best players in Europe which will be beneficial given Liverpool’s involvement in next season’s Europa league.
If Carroll can bang in a few goals against France, Ukraine or Sweden with Downing as the key provider of crosses then it stands to reason the experience it will be nothing but positive. A player like Henderson still has a lot to prove in a Liverpool shirt, never mind an England shirt, and the lad must be developing the thickest of skins especially after being booed by some of the so-called England fans. But if given an opportunity to gain his 4th England cap and put in a solid performance then surely it will do him no-end of good. I’m actually hoping Henderson turns out to be another Lucas who had to work hard in his first few seasons to win-over his justifiable critics and become one of Liverpool’s most influential players
It’s unlikely that the younger Liverpool players will get an opportunity to play a major part in the tournament but the net effect should be that Rodgers will end -up with better, more confident, players returning for training in July. I’m not sure if this England squad can actually go that far but if Roy holds true to his policy of giving the younger players an opportunity to show what they can do, then I for one will applaud him for it.
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Anyone that thinks that carroline, downing or hendo deserved calls up is delusional at best.. I would argue that given his poor season for us not even johnson deserves the call up. But that also speaks to the complete lack of quality players being produced by england for the last decade! It’s obvious that racist roy chose the white guy over rio…dont get it twisted.. im glad that they all got called up..and Im hoping that they all have solid tournaments.. but only so their value will increase and we can dump all the garbage that dalglish weigh us down with. If Rodgers is to have ANY chance to succeed.. his first moves need to be getting rid of all of the overhyped overpaid brit garbage that we are stuck with right now… carroline, downing, hendo, adam, and josephine cole.. and a solid euro will allow us to maximize their value to some other idiots that like to overpay for brit crap..
Re: Greg
I agree re Downing, he shouldn’t be there. The rest are there on merit ESPECIALLY Johnson who I believe has matured this season at Liverpool & finally ‘ready’ to both attack and defend in equally good measure.
Carroll ended the season on form, Kelly is pure class and very much the future, Henderson the same (just weighed down by a heavy price tag) – remember he is the under21 capt.
When England’s participation in Euro 2012 is over we’ll discover whether or not the inclusion of Kenny’s expensive flops was a wise choice. I wish them luck.
How can you possibly say they are worthy of their call up? Is it intended as a joke? If so, the context does not make that clear. They are rubbish players and if Roy is dumb enough to stick them in the side they will be stuffed out of sight. You also say ‘If Carroll can bang in a few goals… you might just as well say ‘If Heskey can bang in a few goals’. We used to have the likes of Colin Bell, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Alan Ball in the side and now we have Henderson and Downing. Dear Lord.
Hendo and Downing didn’t deserve to be called up. They were both below par all season.
Are people watching different games to me? I didn’t see them 2 players do anything of note all season!
Carroll could be useful and Johnson likes playing for England. Kelly and Gerrard are good quality players and deserve their call up.
But Hendo and Downing should be back at Liverpool and praying to god that their form picks up for next season because it’s been a nightmare watching them both!
England will do well at the Euros just as well as Liverpool did in the premiership the season gone. If u think that AC, SD and JH suddenly will turn out to b world class that u r deluded mate. And if we don’t sign any better players this summer than it don’t matter who the mngr is expect the same next season. I can’t c how things will b any better 4 good few years. No hope at all.
Their choice in the England squad it self should vindicate Kenny. Go on lads show em. These doubters are not LFC fans. Good Luck
Gerrard,Glen J,Kelly,Downing,Carrol n Henderson…….dat show hw recognizable liverpool z in premiership!
Stop dis ur critics n argument,it wnt change any tin.ther r already there wish them gud luck!
Barry please take off your blinkers.Henderson and Downing were both poor for us.A lot of people in England for some reason have been raving about Henderson and what he can potentially be.Truth be told he was underserving of a Liverpool shirt this season and yet was played in most matches.If he is still developing then a more moderate introduction is suggested.On the big stage at Liverpool in particular he has been found wanting,anonymous in most of the games he”s played in.Downings performances have also not been deserving of a liverpool start,yet due to price tag he along with the rest of KD’s poor signings had to play.Time for us to move on and move forward,if Roy wants to play our flops so be it.Rodgers has a massive task ahead of him and hopefully the 1st part of this will be to get rid of some deadwood.Thankfully Lucas will be back and if Rodgers can get the Aqua to stay we can flog Adam and Hendo.
It’s inspiring to read the comments of such dedicated and supportive supporters … oh excuse me for using words that clearly has no meaning to the majority of my fellow commenters. I hope Caroll scores a few, Henderson get minutes, Downing a goal or an assist and Johnson being applauded for some bombing runs. I wonder why managers recognize their qualities and armchair fans don’t … maybe the former so knowledgable LFC fans are being watered down with t*****s who play far too much manager, who’ve never kicked a ball, and get off by listening to their own bitching.
I support England as much as the next guy. But under Hodgson I realistically give them zero chance of lifting the trophy. So, I’d much rather he just leave our players alone, let them rest up for the summer and let some other guys get injured for 6 months in England’s 5-1 loss to Spain.
You’d think after leaving Liverpool Roy couldn’t do any more damage. But when you see Carroll returning on crutches, Gerrard’s injury recurring, and Johnson and Hendo too tired to put in any sort of performance next season, you’ll realize the Hodgson nightmare actually isn’t over just yet…
What people are forgetting is Liverpool were a good cup team last season, irrespective of all the criticism. The last time I checked, the euros is a cup competition.
So shut your trap bekim. You’re embarrassing yourself.
Bekim get behind the team or get gone, we don’t need fans like you. We need to stick together for the team and club, i expect alot of positives next season im licking my lips with the style of football we may just play under Rodgers. Look what Rodgers did with Swansea were there any big named players there? ok its Swansea but its not about big named players its getting the best out of what you have. If he can do that with Swansea he can do it with better players at LFC.
Mourinho, SAF, Guardiola etc have spoken highly of Brendan so who are we to talk crap about him. Brendan was meant to be in the Spanish camp during the Euros working with Del Bosque learning more n more, but coz he took the LFC job he couldn’t go,
Mourinho said Brendans a footballing scholar like himself and is special, who will bring back the glory days back at Anfield.
Alot of people wanted Mourinho or would have liked him, look at what he’s saying about Rodgers
I always get behind th team and I will do the same. I will support the new mngr as well till I c that we r going nowhere. What I can’t stand is watch crap players running in that pitch like headless chickens. I think BR will b good. Not overconfident tho. Not 100%. But he has my full support. As 4 people like Mouriño praising him. That does not mean anything. No mngr commes out publicly and say something bad about someone. A Ferguson and the whole of England praised the appointment of R Hodgson and we all know how that end it.
regarding the article Downing and Hendo dnt deserve to be in the England side, but this could really boost all 6 LFC confidence if they have a good tournament aswell as they’re price tags lol
After yesterday, Im surprised Carroll wasnt included. The French would have been scared stiff of him for the last 30 mins when their legs were getting tired. Instead they bring on defoe who although I rate highly, cant lead a line.
The crossing ability of our wingers yesterday was shocking. The only good cross we put in was Gerrard from the free kick.
I for one am all for the Liverpool English contingent to play more.
YNWA England