Unleashing Liverpool’s in-form England players on the World Cup does not guarantee success, former captain Peter Shilton has warned.
Half of Roy Hodgson’s outfield players for the 1-0 win over Denmark last month ply their trade at Anfield and have been instrumental is Liverpool’s Premier League title bid.
Captain Steven Gerrard was joined in the starting line-up by Glen Johnson, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and match-winner Daniel Sturridge in the Wembley friendly and the quintet have a great chance of retaining their places for England’s World Cup opener against Italy.
But record cap-holder Shilton believes it would be foolish to think a heavy Liverpool contingent would give England a greater chance of success.
“There are two ways of looking at it,” the former Leicester and Nottingham Forest goalkeeper said.
“If Liverpool go on and win the league those players will be full of confidence and belief and that is a big thing.
“But I think sometimes a club side will have a different style to others and, watching Liverpool players, they want to go forward very quickly and it is a very attacking attitude and at other clubs they play a different style.
“It really depends on how Roy wants to play, he may want to play a waiting game or attack as quickly as possible. Depending on how he wants to play it may be detrimental to the other plays in the side to go with five Liverpool men.
“It could be very beneficial to have five Liverpool players in there but by the same token he has got to pick his best players, that is the most important thing. If he thinks someone is better than the Liverpool players he will pick them in that position.”
With Brendan Rodgers taking Liverpool to the top of the Premier League with four games remaining, the Reds are genuine title contenders despite not being given much of a chance before the start of the campaign.
Shilton has likened England’s World Cup case to the scenario at Anfield although he admits expectations will grow as the competition dawns.
“The pressure will still rise nearer the tournament,” he said.
“But I think generally around the country when I do some speaking I say ‘England will put on a good show’ and you don’t get a good response.
“The public are more realistic this time about what we can do. There will still be pressure put on the team.
“But it helps, as you have seen it with Liverpool, that no-one was tipping them for the title and they have come along unnoticed, there has been no pressure which has been beneficial.”
With 125 appearances, Peter Shilton is England’s most capped football player. Celebrating the launch of the Wasgij Original 21 Football Fever jigsaw puzzle, Jumbo Games is running a promotion offering the chance to watch England take on Uruguay alongside Shilton on 19 June 2014.
Sturridge doubtful for Norwich City match
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is a doubt for his side’s trip to Norwich City on Sunday due to a hamstring injury, the Premier League leaders revealed on Wednesday.
“A small strain was detected following a scan,” read a report on the club website.
“The 24 year old will now undergo a treatment programme in order to try and be available for the trip to Carrow Road.”
Sturridge, who has scored 23 goals this season, was forced off in the 66th minute of his side’s 3-2 win at home to Manchester City last Sunday.
Liverpool are currently two points above Chelsea at the league summit and know that victories in their final four games will give them a first title since 1990.
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UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
