Brendan Rodgers hits out at England’s treatment of Daniel Sturridge

Posted Friday, September 12, 2014 by theguardian.com

Brendan Rodgers has hit out at England’s treatment of Daniel Sturridge, saying that the thigh strain he suffered on international duty last week "could have been prevented".

Daniel Sturridge struggles during training for England

Sturridge now faces three weeks on the sidelines, Rodgers confirmed on Thursday, meaning he would miss the games against Aston Villa, West Ham United, Everton and West Brom in the league, Ludogorets and Basel in the Champions League and Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup.

Ironically, that timescale would mean Sturridge would return in time to feature in England’s Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Estonia at the beginning of October.

"The only disappointment for us was Daniel Sturridge coming back injured as he had started the season very well," the Liverpool manager told TalkSport.

"We’re obviously disappointed because we feel it was an injury which could have been prevented. He has worked so hard over pre-season and looked very fit and strong in our last game against Tottenham."

Sturridge is apparently used to having two days to recover after matches, England having played Norway on the Wednesday, and Rodgers said: "I think clubs work differently at times to international teams. It’s more the recovery strategy."

"When we look at our players here we look at them individually in terms of what their needs are. Fast players would have a second day recovery while other players can work on that day. When you are that type of player like Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and boys like Danny Welbeck you need to recover them."

Rodgers hoped that he could maintain a good relationship with the England coach Roy Hodgson. "I think there is good communication. I haven’t spoken to Roy about this case since the guys returned but I speak regularly with him and the other international managers," he added.

"Roy has probably been led by some of the expert sports science people he has around him and for whatever reason Dan was deemed able to train."