It's been a difficult season so far for Raheem Sterling, who's been shuffled around by Brendan Rodgers and mostly used as cover for a starting eleven that's looking increasingly settled. Used last season as a wide forward on the left, he's now made his last two appearances in a right wingback role, where he's worked hard but struggled at times to work his way into the match. The promise and potential is still there, but for the time being, it looks as though last season's breakout performances aren't going to be the norm.
That hasn't necessarily affected his standing within the national team setup, however, as today he finds himself joining the senior squad yet again after Tom Cleverley went down with an injury and Kyle Walker ruled out through suspension. This isn't the first time that Sterling will be in the full England squad under Roy Hodgson, who brought the young winger into the fold for World Cup qualifying after last season's spectacular start.
The move doesn't indicate that Sterling will be getting any minutes, of course, appearing to be only a numbers move rather than a promise of playing time. Though if you're making a numbers move to replace an injured central midfielder and emergency cover for a suspended right-back, Hodgson might have been better served to cast a glance at Jordan Henderson, who is on better form than the injured central midfielder picked ahead of him and would likely do a far more competent job than Sterling if asked to fill a gap at fullback. But Hodgson and etc.
Anyhow, congrats to young Raheem yet again, and hopefully he returns from the break ready to make an impact for Liverpool.
More from The Liverpool Offside:
- Liverpool's Internationals Matchday: Lucas and Brazil Face South Korea with Kolo Toure in Action Later in the Day
- Liverpool's Internationals Recap: Uruguay Stumble at Altitude
- Liverpool's Internationals Recap: England Stay Top, Denmark Stay Alive (Barely)
- Liverpool's Internationals Matchday: England Look to Punch Their Ticket
- Lucas: "I'm Over the Moon"