• Premier League

Johnson not worthy of England place - Hodgson

ESPNsoccernet staff
November 13, 2010
Glen Johnson has stuggled for form this season © PA Photos
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Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has expressed his disappointment at Glen Johnson's performances for the club this season and told the 26-year-old he is not playing like England's right-back.

Johnson's game-time in recent weeks has been limited - he has played just one of the Merseysiders' last seven matches due to injury - but he has failed to impress Hodgson when he has been on the pitch.

Hodgson said: "He's the England right-back and, if he plays like that, one would expect him to come back in when he's fit. But then he'd have to play like the England right-back and up to now, to be quite frank, he's not performed - very often at least - to the level I'd expect of him.

"You would have to ask him 'do you think you're playing at top form and are you playing like the best right-back in the country for your club?' If he says yes, obviously we will have to agree to differ and if he says no, then you'd have to ask the question 'why not?'''

Johnson, signed from Portsmouth for a reported £18million in summer 2009, has been ruled out of Saturday's Premier League game at Stoke with a groin problem. Hodgson praised the performances of young defender Martin Kelly, who has been filling in for Johnson at right back, saying he has surprised him more than any other player since his arrival at Anfield.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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