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With speculation rife that a number of regulars—including a number of Liverpool players—would be rested by Roy Hodgson for the upcoming internationals, there was an odd sense of expectation amongst Liverpool fans awaiting the announcement of the England squad. In the end, though, all the Liverpool players who one would expect there are indeed in the squad.
Up top, Daniel Sturridge makes his return to the national team after missing half the season due to an injury suffered while on England duty. Meanwhile in midfield, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, and Raheem Sterling are all included. Glen Johnson remains out of the picture, and Rickie Lambert has been left out following the emergence of Tottenham’s Harry Kane, but neither were considered serious contenders for a call up.
There’s still the chance of course that Hodgson may only give the likes of Henderson, Sterling, and Sturridge limited minutes in England’s second match. All three have shown in the past that they are part of his preferred eleven, and Hodgson has at times shown a willingness to rest them for England's friendlies while giving chances for fringe players to impress.
Hodgson may have to bear the brunt of the blame for Sturridge’s initial injury last year, but since then he has arguably been more willing to rest Liverpool’s players when they appear tired than Liverpool’s own manager has been. England first face Lithuania in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Friday, March 27th at Wembley in a 7:45PM GMT kickoff, before traveling to face Italy in a friendly on the 31st.
