Unleashing Liverpool’s in-form England players on the World Cup does not guarantee success, former captain Peter Shilton has warned.
Half of Roy Hodgson’s outfield players for the 1-0 win over Denmark last month ply their trade at Anfield and have been instrumental is Liverpool’s Premier League title bid.
Captain Steven Gerrard was joined in the starting line-up by Glen Johnson, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and match-winner Daniel Sturridge in the Wembley friendly and the quintet have a great chance of retaining their places for England’s World Cup opener against Italy.
But record cap-holder Shilton believes it would be foolish to think a heavy Liverpool contingent would give England a greater chance of success.
“There are two ways of looking at it,” the former Leicester and Nottingham Forest goalkeeper said.
“If Liverpool go on and win the league those players will be full of confidence and belief and that is a big thing.
“But I think sometimes a club side will have a different style to others and, watching Liverpool players, they want to go forward very quickly and it is a very attacking attitude and at other clubs they play a different style.
“It really depends on how Roy wants to play, he may want to play a waiting game or attack as quickly as possible. Depending on how he wants to play it may be detrimental to the other plays in the side to go with five Liverpool men.
“It could be very beneficial to have five Liverpool players in there but by the same token he has got to pick his best players, that is the most important thing. If he thinks someone is better than the Liverpool players he will pick them in that position.”
With Brendan Rodgers taking Liverpool to the top of the Premier League with four games remaining, the Reds are genuine title contenders despite not being given much of a chance before the start of the campaign.
Shilton has likened England’s World Cup case to the scenario at Anfield although he admits expectations will grow as the competition dawns.
“The pressure will still rise nearer the tournament,” he said.
“But I think generally around the country when I do some speaking I say ‘England will put on a good show’ and you don’t get a good response.
“The public are more realistic this time about what we can do. There will still be pressure put on the team.
“But it helps, as you have seen it with Liverpool, that no-one was tipping them for the title and they have come along unnoticed, there has been no pressure which has been beneficial.”
With 125 appearances, Peter Shilton is England’s most capped football player. Celebrating the launch of the Wasgij Original 21 Football Fever jigsaw puzzle, Jumbo Games is running a promotion offering the chance to watch England take on Uruguay alongside Shilton on 19 June 2014.
Sturridge doubtful for Norwich City match
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is a doubt for his side’s trip to Norwich City on Sunday due to a hamstring injury, the Premier League leaders revealed on Wednesday.
“A small strain was detected following a scan,” read a report on the club website.
“The 24 year old will now undergo a treatment programme in order to try and be available for the trip to Carrow Road.”
Sturridge, who has scored 23 goals this season, was forced off in the 66th minute of his side’s 3-2 win at home to Manchester City last Sunday.
Liverpool are currently two points above Chelsea at the league summit and know that victories in their final four games will give them a first title since 1990.
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