Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has urged England boss Roy Hodgson to emulate Liverpool's attacking style of play at the World Cup in Brazil. Scholes said Liverpool's "swagger" this season, in which they fell just short of a first league title since 1990, reminded him of "United at their best". "It would be refreshing for England to adopt Liverpool's attacking mentality," said Scholes. âIf there's an injury to Gerrard, nobody jumps out to replace himâ "That means four - and possibly five - Liverpool players in the starting XI." Liverpool, rejuvenated under manager Brendan Rodgers, scored 101 goals in the league this season as they finished just two points adrift of champions Manchester City. They topped the table with three matches to go but faltered to let City claim their second title in three years. Nevertheless, Liverpool's performances impressed Scholes. "The thing I admired most was the swagger of their play and how they terrorised opponents, which reminded me of United at their best," he wrote in a blog for bookmakers Paddy Power. At the heart of Liverpool's rise were captain Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Glen Johnson, who are all in Hodgson's 23-man squad. "I'd definitely start with Gerrard, Sturridge, Henderson and Sterling," said Scholes. "The question mark is Johnson at right-back." Michael Carrick Carrick should be going to Brazil, says Scholes The former England midfielder felt ex-United team-mate Phil Jones was a serious rival to Johnson, but admitted the Liverpool defender was "a touch better going forward". England were heavily criticised for their performances at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, as they laboured through the group stage - including a desperate 0-0 draw with Algeria - before being comprehensively beaten by a vibrant Germany in the last 16. "2010 was so negative with boring draws. Nothing seemed to happen," said Scholes. "England fans would rather 3-3 games than dull 0-0 draws. I'd love to see Roy be brave enough to play like Liverpool [or Manchester United teams of the past]." Scholes said Hodgson's decision to exclude Michael Carrick from the squad was an error, though, claiming that the Manchester United player offered the best alternative to Gerrard in a deep-lying midfield position. "If there's an injury to Gerrard, nobody jumps out to replace him," said Scholes, who made 66 appearances for England. "I don't see Henderson, Frank Lampard or Jack Wilshere playing Gerrard's role. England's success in the group stages hinge on Gerrard staying fit." England kick off their Group D campaign against Italy on 14 June, before tackling Uruguay five days later and Costa Rica on 24 June. Scholes also voiced his opinion on Yaya Toure's recent complaints about a perceived lack of respect shown him by the club's owners on the day of his 31st birthday. "It was comical," said the 39-year-old. "It's quite embarrassing, really. I can't remember Man United players acting like this." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27617201 --------------------- Crazy for him to say this, if you believe some experts on here, Christian, Matth, UIR, Moyes Out etc we've been playing crap so dont know what Scholes is on about âIf there's an injury to Gerrard, nobody jumps out to replace himâ What do you make of that? We all know Gerrard has been poor this season
It would be nice if we had a go like Liverpool did/do. It would also be nice if we don't defend like Liverpool do. Johnson has to start at right-back. The other options are woeful. Henderson should start but won't and Sterling will be used as an impact sub. The best player, of not a great bunch of options, to do Gerrard's job in his absence would be Milner IMO.
He's got a point. I certainly hope we don't play like United, circa 2014!!! I can't see Hodgson being able to coach that way but with enough Liverpool, Arsenal and United players in the squad (let's face it, our players do know how to play) it's not beyond reality.
Agree with that Milner yeah good shout, maybe Barry??? He didnt even get a look in did he? Neither are as good passers as Gerrard though Carrick has been ****e this season hasnt he (even some Utd fans have said that) so can understand him not going
If we 'have a go' we will get ripped to shreds by the Italians for a start, we are just not good enough technically to play in an expansive way. We need to try and play to our strengths and sadly that's being very solid defensively. We showed in the Euros that we are tough to score against, and I'm sure we will be again
I'm not saying be as stupidly gung-ho as Liverpool but I think Gerrard, Wilshere, Lallana and others are very good technically to take the game to them. Assuming Sterling doesn't start there's not brilliant pace in the team so sitting back and counter-attacking doesn't look a good bet to me and I think we've more chance of not running out of steam after an hour, as England historically do, if we keep the ball as much as possible and get them on the back foot a bit.
My England team would be this; Hart Jones Cahill Jagielka Baines Gerrard Wilshere Sterling Rooney Lallanna Sturridge I don't reckon that's too shabby myself.
To replace Gerrard should have been Tom Huddlestone, would be brilliant in that deep lying, quarter back role.
I like it but would also like to see Barkley get a decent amount of game time. Our defence is so ****.
Unlike the fans of the RS on their board, I don't support the player but the team. When England plays against whoever, I support the team. That means supporting whoever play for England: Lampard, Gerrard, Sturridge. When they put on the England shirt, they are no longer the chavs' or the RS players. They are England players. And if they are playing against Holland, I would want them to have a great game and RVP to have a **** game and miss sitters... But not the RS fans, if you read their board, they support the RS players even against their own national team. I even read that some of these ******s wish the racist has a blinder against this England player because he plays for another club.
Absolute bollocks CS, you're assuming everyone who posts on our board is English, plus there are supporters from most clubs that put club before country, even Man Utd supporters.
Been saying it for a while. We have good attacking players and we have options too. We lack options defensively. Woy is possibly the worst candidate to manager this bunch of players because he is so defensive minded, only Mourinho could be worse!
I hope we dont. we will reach the final in brilliant form and then Steven 'the slip' Gerrard will do what he has done all his career. Fail embarrassingly. Better to just do what england do best and not get our hopes up.
