Rodgers tells Hodgson to forget about Sturridge: 'He won't be fit' for England next week
Brendan Rodgers has sent out a warning shot to England manager Roy Hodgson, one that seems to be laced with more than a hint of resentment.
Speaking about the fitness of Daniel Sturridge, who has not played a match for Liverpool since suffering a thigh injury while away on international duty last month, Rodgers said the team is hopeful they will have the striker back this weekend against West Brom. However, he was quick to note that even if the 25-year-old does feature in the contest, he will not be fit to play with England during the international break next week.
"Whether he is available for West Brom or not, he won't be fit. We are hoping he can train with the team on Thursday," Rodgers said, via FOX Soccer.
"We hope he'll be available on Saturday. But if you are talking about a player's availability for England, they need to be fit to play and Daniel will not be fit to play.
"It's something we have stressed. My focus is on protecting Liverpool players and, at this moment, my focus is on getting him fit for Liverpool."
Rodgers has been very vocal about England's handling of the situation since the injury, and he is clearly of the belief that Hodgson and company are at fault for the ailment.
This debate, and others like it, will always be an issue in the constant battle between club teams and international programs. While the former has a right to be upset when one of their players, whom they are paying astronomical fees to employ, is injured while playing for someone else, the national team has the right to call up anyone they please, assuming they are fit.
If Sturridge is able to play against West Brom, Rodgers is quite clearly relaying the message that his player is healthy, otherwise he wouldn't be on the field. As such, it's difficult to agree with his position here.
Hodgson has a right to be upset about the whole ordeal, but at this point, this tiresome discussion is coming off as petty from a Liverpool boss who has seen his club struggle mightily to score since losing Sturridge.