Liverpool boosted by Ibe and Milner returns ahead of Manchester City trip

Jürgen Klopp's squad has been bolstered by the returns of Jordon Ibe and James Milner after they came through training on Monday morning after injuries ahead of Liverpool's trip to Manchester City on Saturday evening.

Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp has been dealt a much-needed injury boost with Jordon Ibe and James Milner expected to be available for their trip to Manchester City. 

The German has endured a frustrating first month at Anfield with injuries, but should welcome the English duo back into the fold after they came through training unscathed at Melwood on Monday.

Ibe picked up a minor knee problem in the Reds' 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace prior to the international break and was forced to drop out of England U21 duty as a result.

Milner, meanwhile, missed Klopp's first defeat as boss with a hamstring injury which kept him out of England's friendly defeat toSpain, in addition to their upcoming fixture with France atWembley Stadium on Tuesday.

But with several senior first-team figures finding to regain fitness, Ibe and Milner made a significant step in their recovery - returning to training five days before the crunch clash at the Etihad Stadiumagainst league leaders City.

Eight Reds out through injury as misfortune cripples Klopp's options

Their returns sizably bolster the options available to Klopp, with Mamadou Sakho, Danny Ings, Joe Gomez, Jon Flanagan and Jordan Rossiter all certain to miss out - whilst Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge are yet to return to full training as they return from knocks.

19-year-old Ibe and vice-captain Milner will be monitored throughout the week to ensure they are fully fit come Saturday, but both are expected to be in the travelling party for the short journey along the M62.

The two will be joined by several of their international team-mates, including Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana, Martin Skrtel and Christian Benteke on Wednesday - when they are due to return to Merseyside, and Klopp will hope for no further injuries as he looks for a morale-boosting result in Manchester.

Kolo Toure could also be back for the trip to his former side, whilst captain Henderson and Sturridge are likely to return to training later this week - though their first games back are expected to come later in the month.

Lingard called into England squad

Lingard's Old Trafford team-mate Michael Carrick was stretchered off in the last minute of England's 2-0 defeat to Spain on Friday. "We have to wait to see if he is consistent because he is more or less the same age as Memphis Depay".

It is Lingard's first senior call-up, having previously played for England Under-21s.

England take on France later this week with players from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United set to feature.

Even United boss van Gaal had recently said the 22-year-old, after much hype surrounding him, wasn't ready for worldwide football, but Hodgson added he understood what the Dutchman was saying but he has been called with his blessing in the end.

'I don't think he was wrong to say that.

The United academy graduate has earned the man of the match award on his last two appearances for Louis van Gaal'steam against CSKA Moscow and West Brom. That means Eric Dier and Dele Alli are likely to make their full debuts.

John Stones, the 21-year-old Everton defender, will start alongside Gary Cahill in a back four that is also expected to include Nathaniel Clyne, 24, and Kieran Gibbs, 26.

However, via his rather disputable selection choices for the previous worldwide friendly against Spain, and the upcoming fixture with Euro 2016 hosts France, Hodgson's overall decision making qualities have truly been thrown into doubt. I agree the teams we're playing now are big teams and if we want to do anything in the summer, then we're going to have to compete.

The English FA said that the French Football Federation (FFF) had "made it clear that they still wish to play against us". "But, around that, the discussion and thoughts are around the fact this game is being played".

Quickening the Tempo Would Make England a Much Better Team

England are a poor international team with good players and it just doesn't make sense. The Three Lions team that Roy Hodgson sent out against Spain last week looked very good on paper - it's wasn't even a full strength side because of injuries - and yet they let themselves be completely played off the park in Alicante.

England played Spain's game and not their own. Having come through the Euro 2016 qualifying process as the only team across the whole continent to maintain a 100% winning record, albeit in an easy group, they should actually have the confidence to take any game to any opposition.

That wasn't the case against Spain, but looking ahead, one simple change to the tactics will make England a much better team with the same players and the same formation. It really is as simple as quickening the tempo.

To put it bluntly, England play too slowly and they have been doing so for some time - not just under Hodgson. The laboured build up play might work for some teams, like Spain, for example, who have a far superior passing game, but not England.

Leaving the obvious lack of entertainment value to one side, England aren't playing to their strengths when they try and keep the ball. At this moment in time there simply aren't the players capable of doing it.

What Hodgson and future coaches should be looking to do is capitalise on what is actually a strong group of defensive players - Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, John Stones, Joe Hart, Nathaniel Clyne, Luke Shaw (when fit again) and others - and the pace and directness of attacking players like Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley and Theo Walcott (again, when fit).

Keeping clean sheets and getting the ball from back to front as quickly as possible to eliminate being outplayed in midfield areas is the key. There were opportunities to do it against Spain when defenders were dropping off, but it never came.

Ball playing centre-backs and deep lying midfielders should be looking to play the ball into the forwards, not necessarily in the air, early and start attacks that way. When a team tries to play possession football and can't, like England, it creates unnecessary risks and will cost goals and games.

English players are naive or arrogant to think they can beat teams with passing. Other countries win games by playing to their strengths, why not England?

Roy Hodgson Reportedly Unconvinced by Nathaniel Clyne's Quality as England's Right Back

Roy Hodgson could look to Everton defender John Stones to fill in at right back for England's Euro 2016 campaign, as he remains unconvinced that Liverpool's Nathaniel Clyne is good enough for the role.

The ​Mirror reports that both Clyne and Tottenham's Kyle Walker have not shown enough in white to Hodgson to convince him that they are worthy of the right back slot next summer. The latter started the friendly defeat to Spain on Friday, though Clyne has featured under Hodgson too after initially earning a place in the squad while at Southampton.

He will likely play there against France at Wembley on Tuesday too, though if he continues to underwhelm Hodgson he could end up using Stones as a makeshift full back instead. The two centre half slots are likely to be contested for by Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, while Stones will likely be named in the squad too - injury permitting.

21-year-old Stones has played in the role before, and Hodgson is happy with his showings due to his calmness on the ball and he would end up being a further option in the air - to add to the qualities the chosen centre halves boast.

The match with France will go ahead on Tuesday, despite the horrific events which occurred near the Stade de France while France were playing Germany on Friday night. Fans at Wembley will be encouraged to sing the French national anthem pre-kick off along with the French fans and players, in a show of support for the nation and all affected by the terrorist attacks which cost 132 lives that night.

Hodgson, according to the ​BBC, has welcomed the news that the match will go ahead, saying: "We respect the decision and will prepare accordingly, both on and off the pitch.

"The match will be a serious occasion but one that shows that the football world is united against these atrocities.

"I am sure the England team and our fans will play their part and show solidarity with our French friends on Tuesday and provide support for both teams during this difficult time."

Liverpool FC comment: Why Nathaniel Clyne should be first choice for England at Euro 2016

Roy Hodgson has doubts over the Reds defender, but he should be the No.1 option.

Liverpool's Nathaniel Clyne celebrates opening the scoring against Bournemouth in the Capital One Cup at Anfield. Photo by James Maloney

He’s expected to start against France at Wembley on Tuesday night, but Nathaniel Clyne faces a fight to establish himself as England’s first choice right back, it seems.

Reports in the national newspapers on Monday suggest that Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson has doubts about the Liverpool man’s suitability ahead of next year’s European Championships.

So much so, in fact, that he’s considering using John Stones, comfortably his best centre back, out of position next summer. Good old Roy.

Liverpool fans, of course, are well familiar with Hodgson’s foibles. His default setting is one of caution, while his judgement when it comes to full backs requires just two words. And one of those is Konchesky.

Nathaniel Clyne of Liverpool turns away after scoring the opening goal during the Capital One Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on October 28, 2015 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)

Problem position?

Hodgson spoke openly about Clyne back in the summer, suggesting he would be “disappointed” if the former Southampton man felt he could “walk in and demand a place” after “a good season.”

That was after a game in Slovenia, in which first Phil Jones and then, bizarrely, Jordan Henderson were used as right backs. Clyne, fit and available, was used as a 90th-minute substitute in a 2-1 win, and later had to deny reports he had “snubbed” Hodgson post-match.

He would move to Liverpool soon after, and his form since has been solid, if not spectacular. Certainly, he has been one of the Reds’ more consistent performers throughout a testing start to the campaign, while at the same time adapting to life at a new club.

Clearly, though, right back remains a problem position for Hodgson. In his three-year reign as England boss, he has used no fewer than a dozen players there.

Clyne would, on the face of it, seem an obvious solution. He is quick, disciplined and defensively sound.

And as shown in recent outings against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, there is plenty to come from him in an attacking capacity as well.

Alternative options are in short supply. Kyle Walker started against Spain on Friday, but doubts persist over the Spurs man’s durability and defensive qualities. Calum Chambers’ development at Arsenal has slowed, while Jones, like Stones, is far more comfortable centrally.

England's Nathaniel Clyne during the UEFA European Championship Qualifying match at the Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle.

The Klopp effect?

For Clyne, then, there is the chance to prove himself between now and the end of the campaign. While some Liverpool fans would argue that missing out on England duty is no bad thing, the prestige of representing your country at a major tournament should not be sniffed at, and Clyne’s development as a consistent Premier League performer over the past three years is deserving of recognition.

All he can do is continue to perform at club level, where he is undoubtedly appreciated. The arrival of Jurgen Klopp will, you feel, benefit him.

The German may not have transformed Liverpool, but they look an altogether more cohesive, confident outfit under him, and for an attack-minded full back that can only be a good thing. See how the likes of Lukasz Piszczek and Marcel Schmelzer excelled under Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, and how Alberto Moreno has been re-energised over the past month.

Liverpool FC v Thai All Stars at the National Stadium Bangkok Thailand. Jordan Ibe, Divock Origi and Nathaniel Clyne

Clyne’s relationship with Jordon Ibe, against both Rubin Kazan and Crystal Palace, looks a promising one, of which we should see more between now and the end of the campaign, while he has also shown his ability to play, if needed, as a left back. His winning goal against Bournemouth came with him ghosting in at the back post from that position.

Clyne should certainly, fitness permitting, be on the plane to France next summer. And hopefully in the next six months, he can convince Hodgson he can be a starter.

A right back playing at right back - that’d be a novel idea at a big tournament, wouldn’t it?