The Liverpool Offside - Full Coverage: Liverpool's September InternationalsZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2014-09-08T21:38:55+01:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/58701962014-09-08T21:38:55+01:002014-09-08T21:38:55+01:00Switzerland 0, England 2: A Convincing Start
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<figcaption>Laurence Griffiths</figcaption>
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<p>After a worrying warm-up against Norway, England kicked off Euro 2016 qualification in more convincing fashion, earning all three points on the road against Switzerland.</p> <blockquote>
<b>Switzerland 0</b> <br><b>England 2</b> Welbeck 58' 90+4'</blockquote>
<p style="text-align: justify;">An unexpected competitive debut for Fabian Delph saw the Aston Villa man opposite Jordan Henderson as Roy Hodgson threw caution to the wind and sent England out in a 4-4-2 diamond. With Raheem Sterling at its tip and Jack Wilshere at its base, on paper at least it was about as attacking a side as England have deployed in recent years.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">It may not have led to a swashbuckling display of the sort to match Liverpool at their best, but it was at least an England side interested in attacking—one that believed it could take all three points on the road against the side most believe they will be competing with for top spot in Group E. It was at least watchable, and a step in the right direction after the dire friendly against Norway.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The breakthrough for England should probably have come 15 minutes in when Sterling picked out Wayne Rooney on the break, but the striker could only fire a weak effort straight at the 'keeper. Then, at the 30 minute mark, Danny Welbeck had the chance to set either Rooney or Sterling up for the tap-in but horribly mis-hit his centring pass and the chance was wasted.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Minutes later, Liverpool transfer target Xherdan Shaqiri played Haris Seferovic clear on goal but Hart saved well with his foot, and as the first half ended with a brief flurry of activity around the Swiss penalty area. It was middling entertainment at best, but it was also clear that only one side was pushing for all three points while the other hoped for a lucky goal off the counter.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Missed chances continued to be the theme for England in the second half when Henderson laid a square centring pass on a plate for Sterling only for the Liverpool attacker to kick air instead of ball. With the Swiss seeming to grow into the game, it looked like England might pay for their profligacy. Instead, it led to England's belated breakthrough.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">With the Swiss pushing higher up the pitch, England broke on the counter in the 58th minute, with Rooney playing Sterling down the right. The young attacker then curled a perfect low cross with his left foot into the path of Danny Welbeck, and the recent Arsenal signing only had to make solid contact to send the ball into the waiting goal and give England a deserved lead.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Afterwards, England always seemed likely to take all three points, and in stoppage time Sterling played in club teammate Rickie Lambert, who squared to Welbeck for his second of the night and penciled England in as Group E favourites.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-internationals/2014/9/8/6123137/switzerland-0-england-2-match-recap-euro-2016-group-eNoel Chomyn2014-09-08T17:00:03+01:002014-09-08T17:00:03+01:00Video: Emre Can v. Republic of Ireland
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<p>Not many Liverpool fans will have seen Emre Can play for Germany's U21s over the weekend, but it's worth a look back at if only for the fact he played centre-half.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">One of <span>Emre Can's</span> key talents, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> fans were told when he arrived at the club over the summer, was his flexibility. Though he was most comfortable as a physical, defence-mind box-to-box midfielder, he can and had at some point played just about every position bar striker and centre-half. And had often looked quite good doing it.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">You can now add centre-half to the list, at least if his performance against the Republic of Ireland with Germany's U21s over the weekend is anything to go by. Wearing the number 11, Can was an odd sight lined up as the right-sided centre-half, though on the whole he did appear to put in a solid shift against a rather overmatched opponent.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">His midfielder's instincts often did seem to come to the fore, with probing diagonal passes and a tendency to romp forward defining his day. Against more lively opposition that could easily have led to problems at the back, though of course it's far from a certainty that he would have been quite so adventurous had the Germans been up against somebody stronger.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">At the end of the day, Can remains a midfielder first—even as a defender, it was clearly the area of the pitch he wanted to be in—but for a player who arrived at the club with a reputation for being able to play just about any position, it's one more to add to the list.</p>
<p><iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/W89aJCLARcQ?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0"></iframe> <font size="2">Video by <a href="https://twitter.com/mostarLFC" target="new">Mostar</a></font></p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-internationals/2014/9/8/6121037/video-emre-can-plays-centre-half-vs-republic-of-irelandNoel Chomyn2014-09-08T14:30:03+01:002014-09-08T14:30:03+01:00Henderson Likely to Start for England
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<figcaption>Jamie McDonald</figcaption>
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<p>Jordan Henderson limped away from training last night with an ankle injury but is likely fit enough to start tonight against the Swiss.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Despite injuring his ankle in training on Sunday, reports suggest <span>Jordan Henderson</span> is almost certain to start for Roy Hodgson's England tonight when they take on Switzerland in their first qualifying match for Euro 2016. While certainly good news for England, having a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> player involved who is likely less than fully fit will worry many of the club's fans.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Given <span>Daniel Sturridge</span> faced a similar dilemma last year and ended up with a long layoff as a result, there is certainly precedent for concern. Henderson's calm energy and increasingly veteran presence, though, is nearly as important to Hodgson's England as it is at the club level, and if as appears likely he's cleared by the medical staff, he will start tonight.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Daniel Sturridge remains out of the question with a thigh injury expected to sideline him for three weeks—meaning he should be fit just in time for the October international break—but with Henderson and <span>Raheem Sterling</span> likely to start, Liverpool will still be providing England's most important players in midfield and the attack this evening against the Swiss.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Early reports suggest that <span>Danny Welbeck</span> will start in Sturridge's place, perhaps freeing up Hodgson to shift to a 4-3-3 with Welbeck and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal's</a> Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the wings and Sterling moved central, where he has looked most dangerous for England.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-internationals/2014/9/8/6120949/jordan-henderson-ankle-injury-fitness-likely-start-switzerlandNoel Chomyn2014-09-08T00:54:44+01:002014-09-08T00:54:44+01:00Henderson Injured During England Training
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<figcaption>Laurence Griffiths</figcaption>
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<p>England and Liverpool's injury woes continue, as Jordan Henderson had to cut short his training session ahead of Monday's Euro qualifier against Switzerland with an ankle injury. </p> <p><span>Daniel Sturridge</span> getting injured on Friday wasn't enough for Roy Hodgson and England, who are testing the resolve of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool's</a> English contingent and getting all the wrong answers. According to <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/switzerland-vs-england-jordan-henderson-injury-adds-to-englands-problems-9717373.html" target="_blank">Sam Wallace at the Indpendent</a>, <span>Jordan Henderson</span>--he of running for nineteen days straight with stopping for food, water, or to catch a breath--limped out of training on Sunday night with an injury to his left ankle. That news is, to put it lightly, a major, life-altering, earth-shattering, wormhole-creating catastrophe the likes of which the human mind could not have previously imagined.</p>
<p>And that's probably an understatement, unless it was totally precautionary and Henderson will be back in the next few days. That's entirely possible, but the fact that we're talking about a player who doesn't stop for anything, let alone a minor ankle knock, is worrying. The fact that we're talking about him getting injured on England duty is doubly worrying, as Roy Hodgson has a less than exemplary record when it comes to handling player injuries appropriately.</p>
<p>As with Sturridge, the bodies are available to help <span>Brendan Rodgers</span> cope if Henderson is forced into an extended absence. Joe Allen's been terrific, <span>Adam Lallana</span> is back and in the running for selection, <span>Emre Can</span> has been strong and energetic in his substitute appearances in the season's first three weeks, and <span>Philippe Coutinho</span> can drop deeper to great effect if the situation dictates.</p>
<p>Given the impact Henderson's absence had during the run-in last season, though, it's hard to not do a mild bit of panicking, especially during the busiest stretch of the early season. He's not Liverpool's <i>best</i> player by any stretch, but there's no debating that he's their most important.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-news-coverage/2014/9/8/6119483/jordan-henderson-injured-during-england-training-switzerland-euro-qualifier-Ed-2014-09-07T16:00:03+01:002014-09-07T16:00:03+01:00Liverpool's September Internationals, 7th to 9th
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<figcaption>Stu Forster</figcaption>
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<p>It may not be Liverpool, but it's still football. Join us in keeping an eye on Liverpool's players off on international duty over the next few days.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">After a round of friendlies to kick off the international break, week two sees many of Liverpool's players who are off on international duty taking the first steps towards Euro 2016—or away from it…</p>
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<p align="right"><font size="4"><b>Serbia</b> <font color="grey"> v. </font><b>France</b></font> <br><font color="grey">Sunday, September 7th</font> <br>7:45PM BST/2:45 PM EST<br> <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1127894/serbia-vs-france/" target="_blank">Television Listings</a></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Before the Euro 2016 qualifiers begin, Sunday offers up one more friendly with an intriguing appetizer for Liverpool fans as Lazar Markovic and Serbia take on Mamadou Sakho and France. Neither has played as much as many Liverpool fans might have hoped for so far this season at the club level, but both will be expected to play significant roles for their countries on Sunday night in this intriguing match between upstarts Serbia and a well established French side.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">And best of all for Liverpool fans, with neither country beginning their qualification campaign until October, both players will then return to Liverpool with a week to prepare for the match against Aston Villa on Saturday.</p>
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<p align="right"><font size="4"><font color="grey">Switzerland v. </font><b>England</b></font> <br><font color="grey">Monday, September 8th</font> <br>7:45PM BST/2:45 PM EST<br> <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1259875/switzerland-vs-england/" target="_blank">Television Listings</a></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">England's qualification campaign begins against the nation most assume will be fighting with them for top spot in Group E. On the evidence of Wednesday's friendly against Norway, though, many will be penciling in Switzerland for the top spot, especially with Daniel Sturridge sidelined. Fortunately for England, whatever happens on Monday, a group rounded out by Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, and San Marino should be one they can advance from.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">But qualification math is some ways down the road. For now, it's about Switzerland, and finding out if Roy Hodgson can manage not to injure a second Liverpool player before the close of the September international break. Though Sturridge will be absent, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson are expected to start, and on the Swiss side the man to watch will be rumoured Liverpool summer target Xherdan Shaqiri.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>•</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Elsewhere, there's little to get too excited about as a Liverpool fan over the next few days. Dejan Lovren and Croatia have their first Euro 2016 qualifier against Malta on Tuesday at 7:45PM BST/2:45PM EST while Joe Allen and Wales take on Andorra, also at 7:45PM BST/2:45PM. Later on on Tuesday, Brazil have their second friendly, this one against Ecuador from New Jersey at 2AM BST (Wed.)/9:00PM EST. Meanwhile, Belgium's qualifier against Israel has been postponed until March.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-internationals/2014/9/7/6101723/liverpools-september-internationals-7th-to-9th-preview-and-ways-toNoel Chomyn2014-09-05T18:12:24+01:002014-09-05T18:12:24+01:00Sturridge Ruled Out of Switzerland Match
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<figcaption>Jamie McDonald</figcaption>
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<p>Updated news on Daniel Sturridge's injury from Sky Sports, who report that the striker is expected to miss England's upcoming qualifier against Switzerland.</p> <p><span>Daniel Sturridge's</span> game has rounded out nicely since arriving at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>, but the one area of weakness remaining is one that's unfortunately popped up yet again today. Reports earlier in the day confirmed that he left England training with an unspecified injury, and now the FA are confirming that the striker <a href="http://www.thefa.com/news/2014/sep/daniel-sturridge-training-sgp-update#Qi62PDLqet0XebjF.99" target="_blank">will be ruled out</a> of Monday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland:</p>
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<p>"Daniel Sturridge picked up an injury on his thigh in training. He has had a scan and will now return to Liverpool FC for treatment. He will play no part in the forthcoming Switzerland match."</p>
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<p>So no more hand-wringing needed about whether or not he'd be rushed back to try to play some part in a few days' time, just the hand-wringing about how long the thigh injury will keep him out for. As mentioned earlier in the day, the signing of <span>Mario Balotelli</span> should assuage concerns, as will the return of Adam Lallan from injury. Fabio Borini's decision to stay now looks a wise one, as he could be called into action sooner than expected after featuring in today's 1-0 win over Wolves at Melwood.</p>
<p>Hopefully Sturridge is back in the coming weeks, and this proves a minor setback rather than another longer-term stay on the sidelines.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-internationals/2014/9/5/6110961/daniel-sturridge-injury-england-ruled-out-qualifier-euro-switzerland-liverpool-aston-villa-Ed-2014-09-04T12:45:06+01:002014-09-04T12:45:06+01:00Video: Raheem Sterling v. Norway
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<p>Not much went right for England last night when they took on Norway. Aside, at least, from Raheem Sterling. Taking a quick look back at his performance seems in order.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">England may, as a whole, have provided a rather dire viewing proposal for football fans yesterday when taking on Norway, but if one only focused on <span>Raheem Sterling</span> it would have been easy to imagine a match brimming with flair, endeavour, and excitement. The 19-year-old winger was England's best player. And it wasn't even close.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Despite being pushed wide in the midfield of a 4-4-2 to accommodate Roy Hodgson's tactical conservatism, his talent shone through from the start, and it isn't hyperbole to suggest that everything good that England did—in the first half in particular—came through him. His link-up play with <span>Daniel Sturridge</span> was a particular delight, and nearly led to a handful of goals.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In the second half, it was his skill and drive that earned England their penalty, leading to the only goal of the match. And soon after, following the removal of <span>Wayne Rooney</span>, he was allowed to come inside to take on the ten role, from where his increased influence allowed the skill he had shown all night long to improve the entire England side's performance.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">On a night when England didn't do a lot right, he didn't put a foot wrong. So for those who might not have seen the match—and beyond Sterling there was really very little reason one would have had to want to sit through what England offered up—a quick look back at his performance seems in order.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PevWFMQEdF0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><font size="2">Video by <a href="https://twitter.com/MostarLFC" target="new">Mostar</a></font></p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-video-highlights/2014/9/4/6105191/video-raheem-sterling-v-norway-highlights-every-touch-compNoel Chomyn2014-09-03T21:54:01+01:002014-09-03T21:54:01+01:00England 1, Norway 0: Dull, Uninspiring, Victory
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<p>In the end England won thanks to Raheem Sterling drawing a penalty, but taken in its entirety it would be hard to find a more dull and unimpressive victory.</p> <blockquote>
<b>England 1</b> Rooney 68' (pen.) <br><b>Norway 0</b>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Talk of an experimental 4-3-3 or even a diamond formation was widespread heading into the match. It soon made way for the same old 4-4-2 Roy Hodgson has spent his career perfecting. The results, needless to say, were rather dire, and neither England nor their Norwegian guests managed to look especially dangerous. That it was about what most would have expected didn't make it any less disappointing.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">A brief bit of interplay between Sturridge and Sterling, a back-heel to give the striker room for a curled effort that Norway's centre half just managed to block, was as close as England came to a goal in a very dull opening period. Then, later in the half, Sterling again sent Sturridge in, this time with a ball over the top. Unfortunately for England, the striker couldn't control before the goalkeeper closed him down.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">It was an early sign that any success this England side may have is likely to come from club-level partnerships, as the squad as a whole showed few signs of being able to play as a cohesive unit. The late signs weren't much better, at least until Sterling drew a penalty half way through the second half that <span>Wayne Rooney</span> converted, giving the hosts a narrow and not entirely deserved lead on the run of play.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">With the goal scored, Norway faded and England began to look better, but one moment of individual skill and the win it brought doesn't change just how poor England looked for the majority of the match against a very average opponent. In the end, then, a win, but an unimpressive one that says fans of the national side should prepare themselves for another painfully uninspiring two-year cycle on route to Euro 2016.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-internationals/2014/9/3/6103251/england-1-norway-0-match-recap-dull-dire-victory-hodgeballNoel Chomyn