By Emma Sanders
Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge has been named in the 25-man England squad to face Scotland and Spain ahead of Southampton’s Charlie Austin – and fans reacted with frustration on Twitter.
Sturridge has struggled to make the starting line-up for Liverpool this season, with Jurgen Klopp opting to use Roberto Firmino in the centre-forward role.
He has yet to open his Premier League account this season and failed to break his duck as a second-half substitute in Liverpool’s 6-1 demolition of Watford on Sunday.
📣 SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT 📣
Here's the #ThreeLions squad for this month's games against Scotland and @SeFutbol🇪🇸: pic.twitter.com/1fbt5YlmgG
— England (@England) November 6, 2016
The 27 year-old was selected for the England squad alongside attackers, Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Theo Walcott but Charlie Austin was left out despite producing a number of good performances this season.
Austin has scored seven goals in 13 total appearances for the Saints, whereas Sturridge is yet to score in the Premier League this season and has only scored four goals in the League Cup.
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Liverpool’s number 15 has made 19 England appearances and has scored six goals on the international stage but Austin is yet to make an appearance for the Three Lions.
The Southampton forward was called up to the squad to face the Republic of Ireland and Slovenia, alongside Jamie Vardy in May 2015, but did not feature.
Sturridge is joined in the England squad by Liverpool teammates, Adam Lallana, Jordan Henderson and Nathaniel Clyne.
Here is a selection of the messages on Twitter:
Surely Charlie Austin should be in the England squad over Vardy or Sturridge
— Jody Burry (@jodyburry) November 6, 2016
I'm amazed that Sturridge is in the England squad over Charlie Austin
— Jon Davies (@jonnyd92) November 6, 2016
How is sturridge getting in the england team over @chazaustin10 its a farse! Hea banging in goals wherever he goes!
— Ryan Buckner (@1RyanBuckner) November 6, 2016
So Antonio dropped? And still no place for Charlie Austin. Yet out of form Sturridge who cant get a game for his club is in yet again https://t.co/8InifOqvTh
— North (@reddognorth) November 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/DeanoAKAbn/status/795372401206890497
you have Austin & Defoe who are scoring all the time but they're getting robbed by Sturridge & Vardy who can't even start for their clubs🙄🙄
— Gray (@graymu_) November 6, 2016
Nice to see Kane rashford vardy and Sturridge all given the call up. Must be their amazing form.. Unlike Charlie Austin who just can't score
— Curtis (@Curtford88) November 6, 2016
Vardy and sturridge in the team over Charlie austin whos been performing way better this season what is this 😂 https://t.co/Oqo8aIubNg
— Mitchell (@MitchReay_99) November 6, 2016
This and sturridge can't get a game at Liverpool https://t.co/qjHVuY9OfQ
— Ed Wooldridge (@eWoold) November 6, 2016
Yet again in form players are over looked. What have Rooney, Sturridge & Lingard done to merit a call up? #Austin #Redmond
— Rob Price (@SaintRobinho86) November 6, 2016
In other Liverpool news, the players reacted on Instagram and Twitter to their emphatic 6-1 victory against Watford on Sunday afternoon.
