England were already through to the World Cup next year and were playing a friendly against Germany. Why, then, did Roy Hodgson think it was okay to play Daniel Sturridge – who had been struggling ith injury before the game – for the entire 90 minutes? Now, ahead of one of the biggest games of the season for Liverpool, the Meseyside derby, Sturridge looks as though he will struggle to start the game, judging by reports from the Guardian.
Sturridge had to ‘play through the pain barrier’ in the meaningless tie while there were many other options.
Why not stick Wayne Rooney up top on his own for the majority of the game and replace him with Rickie Lambert? Or give them a half each, even.
Why not throw Jermain Defoe into the mix to raise his confidence after bench warming for Tottenham for a lot of the season?
Jay Rodriguez is in good form, why not unleash him on the Germans?
Between the four I just mentioned, there was no reason for Sturridge to be playing at all, should he have been fighting his injury beforehand.
Now, going into a game not only crucial for the local bragging rights but one that could see them go top of the Premier League, they may not have their top scorer present, or at least refreshed.
Liverpool have every right to be furious with the England management team.