Saturday, 13th November 2010
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has challenged right back Glen Johnson to rediscover the form which made him England’s first choice and also caused Fabio Capello to declare the former Portsmouth man one of the best full backs in world football. Hodgson believes that Johnson has not hit the heights this season and must get better.
"If he plays like the England right back one would expect him to come back in when he’s fit. But up to now he’s not performed, very often at least, up to the level I’d expect of him", said Hodgson.
"You 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?’"
The former Fulham manager’s comments are sure to pique the interest of Juventus, who are known to be watching Johnson’s situation closely and have been linked with a January bid for the player. The Old Lady will feel these latest noises coming out of Anfield suggest a deal can be done.
Johnson should miss Liverpool’s difficult trip to Stoke this afternoon as he is struggling to recover from a groin injury. However, Hodgson has clearly placed a challenge in front of the 26-year-old to rediscover the form which won him his England place and a gaggle of admirers across the Premier League.
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