England manager Roy Hodgson has risked inflaming his simmering feud with Brendan Rodgers by criticizing the Liverpool boss’ method of keeping Raheem Sterling fit.
Hodgson’s relationship with Rodgers was again put in the spotlight after the England boss claimed Liverpool midfielder Raheem Sterling asked to be excluded from the England team for Sunday’s 1-0 win in Estonia because he felt tired.
Shortly after revealing the details of the conversation, Hodgson said he must do his bit to ensure the 19-year-old does not suffer further physical and mental fatigue.
Photo: AFP
He then went a step further by criticizing one of the methods Rodgers uses to try to ensure his quickest players, presumably including Sterling, recover from matches.
Rodgers last month said he is a strong believer in giving his “fast” players two days to recover from matches due to the physical stresses and strains their speed causes.
The Reds manager spoke of his frustration at Hodgson’s refusal to adopt the two-day recovery method for Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge last month after he pulled a muscle and it is understood Rodgers also gives Sterling two days off as he thinks it aids the return to peak fitness.
However, Hodgson said there is little evidence the program benefits players’ recovery times.
“Raheem might say it is something that is becoming ingrained in him and that he felt the need to talk about being tired more than he would normally do, but we have never had any problems with that,’” Hodgson said.
“So if you want to, you might want to research that one. Certainly, the Germans — who you admire so much — they don’t do it,” he added.
On Monday morning, Sterling replied on Twitter to those who had ridiculed him for asking to be rested eight weeks into the season.
“Now listening too.. Excuse me for being human??” the 19-year-old wrote after retweeting two messages critical of him.
It is understood that England’s medical staff will be contacting their counterparts at Liverpool this week to talk about Sterling’s fitness and Hodgson will call Rodgers to discuss the matter.
Meanwhile, England captain Wayne Rooney has revealed he will celebrate racking up a century of caps by walking out at Wembley next month with his two children.
Rooney will soon join the likes of Bobby Moore, David Beckham and Bobby Charlton, with his 100th cap to come in next month’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia.
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