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Sturridge defends decision to put country ahead of club

By on November 25, 2013

20131125-204210.jpgLiverpool forward Daniel Sturridge was defiant in defending his decision to play the full 90 minutes in England’s friendly against Germany just four days before the Merseyside derby despite carrying a thigh injury. Although the patriotic decision might have earned the forward another cap, it infuriated Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers and cost him his starting place in Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Everton at Goodison Park. After sitting the bench for the first 79 minutes Sturridge must not have been in that bright a mood, but after scoring a late equalizer to earn Liverpool the point the 24-year-old was defiant his decision was the right one.

“For me, regardless of what condition you are in, if you are selected by the England manager, you go out there and do the best you can, regardless of whether you are carrying an injury or not,” Sturridge explained.

“The England manager gave me an opportunity and it’s always a pleasure to put the England shirt on. Regardless of what condition you’re in, fit or not fit, if you are selected for England you go out there and do your best.”

However, Rodgers couldn’t disagree more, calling the former Chelsea player out on his choice to play in the international friendly.

“I am looking at him in training on Friday and he is not right,” he said. “Whose responsibility is that? It is the FA’s and the player’s.”

Yet the injury is expected to heal within the next week, with Sturridge claiming he is prepared to make his return to Rodger’s starting line-up against Hull next weekend.

“I hope I’ll be fit enough to start against Hull next weekend. It would be great to be back in the side.”

Despite the controversy surrounding Sturridge it took nothing away from the thrilling 3-3 match that took Liverpool into second place in the Premier League.

“It was a remarkable game to be a part of,” Sturridge said of the match. “I wasn’t too sure whether I would get on as we were holding on to a lead at 2-1 but when Everton scored the manager told me to warm up again and then put me on. It was great to be a part of it and help the team get a draw.

“In the end we have to be happy with a point. We were a bit disappointed that we didn’t win having led twice but now we’ll look to push on. We showed great character and resilience to get back into the game and that was important. It’s not about individuals, it’s about Liverpool Football Club and it’s great to be part of it.”

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.