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Cape Town - Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has rubbished claims the club put pressure on England manager Roy Hodgson to rest Raheem Sterling during the recent international break.
Sterling has found himself under the spotlight of late, previously for his stunning form for both club and country, but more recently due to an apparent lack of fitness.
The 19-year-old managed just 45 minutes in the friendly against San Marino last week, before starting on the bench for the 1-0 win over Estonia in European Championship qualifying action on Sunday.
Reports in England have since suggested Rodgers and the Reds played a role in Hodgson's decision to rest Sterling, but the Anfield boss, who is expected to start Sterling against QPR on Sunday, insists that could not be further from the truth.
"I'm fed up reading about this club v country, claims we intervened and put pressure on Roy Hodgson," said Rodgers.
"I've read we sent a dossier to the FA on Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge and I'm having showdown talks with Roy Hodgson on Sunday and all sorts of rubbish.
“The decision not to play him was a managerial decision. I haven't said a single word but have to say I have never seen such rubbish written over the past few days."
Regarding Sterling's alleged request to sit out, Rodgers added: "At no point did Raheem Sterling say he didn't want to play for England.
"The boy is being hung out to dry and I dare say the criticism will continue for a few more weeks to come because of this."
Sterling has found himself under the spotlight of late, previously for his stunning form for both club and country, but more recently due to an apparent lack of fitness.
The 19-year-old managed just 45 minutes in the friendly against San Marino last week, before starting on the bench for the 1-0 win over Estonia in European Championship qualifying action on Sunday.
Reports in England have since suggested Rodgers and the Reds played a role in Hodgson's decision to rest Sterling, but the Anfield boss, who is expected to start Sterling against QPR on Sunday, insists that could not be further from the truth.
"I'm fed up reading about this club v country, claims we intervened and put pressure on Roy Hodgson," said Rodgers.
"I've read we sent a dossier to the FA on Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge and I'm having showdown talks with Roy Hodgson on Sunday and all sorts of rubbish.
“The decision not to play him was a managerial decision. I haven't said a single word but have to say I have never seen such rubbish written over the past few days."
Regarding Sterling's alleged request to sit out, Rodgers added: "At no point did Raheem Sterling say he didn't want to play for England.
"The boy is being hung out to dry and I dare say the criticism will continue for a few more weeks to come because of this."
