Liverpool pushing Man Utd, Chelsea out of England team

It might be just a matter of circumstance or the manner in which the deck is stacked.

It also might be a matter of choice.

But the fact is England’s manager Roy Hodgson is clearly leaning towards a team that has Liverpool at its heart – at the expense of Manchester United and Chelsea.

While United and Chelsea have formed the crux of the England team for years, it can be argued that England have not done well over the past decade at the international level.

So what choice does Hodgson have? Well, it seems to be Liverpool.

Hodgson may take Wayne Rooney to the Euros, but his plan in no uncertain terms is to centre his attack around – hold your breath (or not) – Andy Carroll, Liverpool’s contribution to ‘flop of the season’ in the Premier League.

Carroll rather impressed against Norway in the 1-0 warm-up win, but that may be because critics have come to expect so little from him.

If that vein continues, Carroll might well see Rooney stay on the bench and he may even keep Danny Wellbeck there, given the Ashley Young-Carroll axis.

Yes, some United in there.

Now, it is also likely that Hodgson will focus his midfield on the pairing of Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker, which means Chelsea’s Frank Lampard could be reduced to a “powerhouse off the bench”.

Lampard’s form towards the close of the season that landed Chelsea the Champions League heroics do not seem to impress Hodgson, who seems to prefer Steven G, who faded towards the end of the season, in a season he was never really there to start with.

Hodgson was quoted as saying “I think we are looking at two strikers against France, whether or not you call Ashley Young a striker or a midfield player.

“The way forward with England is going to be that way because we have Rooney.

“Of course we don’t have him for the first two games and might end up regretting that fact but it’s a temporary thing. There’s a lot of football to be played after the Euros."

Hodgson added: “We all know Rooney is best in that “number 10” position. The fact that he is such a good player, and can play in other positions, that’s another matter.”

Which begs the question that if Ashley Young and Carroll work, who comes off for Wayne Rooney?

Parochial club divides asked, if England bring home to Euros, Liverpool or not, all will be a good plan.

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