England, No Pressure: Three Lions Could Translate Disbelief Into Unbelievable Success

Football

BY NISAR KHAN
Head writer, columnist

Despite more prominence in the league, most fans have written off England’s hopes very early. MIRROR.CO.UK

As another World Cup passes by, it marks more time elongated from the glorious days that England once indulged in. Expectations have diminished in the run up to Rio, but the lack of pressure could very well translate to more success for the Three Lions.

Agony, despair and disappointment are the most potent adjectives to describe the torment that England fans have suffered over previous World Cups. Heartbreaks galore wherever the stage in the campaign have steadily built a big bank of criticism towards the National side. This has now lead to less expectations, and with a tough group, most have ruled them out of even progressing to the knockouts.

England’s World Cup will be a tough ride from the outset. Uruguay, Costa Rica and Italy will battle them in turn for a chance to make it to the next stage. Costa Rica, easily underestimated, are the only team England have been confident of beating. With the likes of Suarez and Cavani, last time’s semi-finalists are a formidable side that will give England plenty of trouble. Then there’s experienced Italy, who knocked England out of the European Championships.

Scrappy wins against the likes of Denmark, the most recent occasion, won’t do much in aim of turning heads either. Prior to that England lost to Germany and Chile. Their prospects may be performing well in the league, though that does not seem to be the case for both club and country.

With the pressure off as many won’t expect them to make it to the next stage, England can leave it all out there in a bid to change their nation’s minds. They could well emerge as the dark horses if they emerge from the group stages. The only pressure is on them for the Costa Rica game, where everyone is expecting them to pick up points in an attempt to thwart Uruguay and Italy. 

That’s just from the vague, mentality perspective. Do England have the resources to really challenge? 

For sure, yes. Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney, if on their best, can create a striking tandem that would be able to match the likes of Cavani and Suarez. Midfield prominence, spearheaded by the veteran skipper Steven Gerrard and including the likes of Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson, could again make a system that will be able to challenge.

But what will worry England fans is that they had plenty of talent against Denmark yet were only able to draw out the 1 – 0 win at Wembley. If they don’t gel, and lack the fluid football that other favorites have nailed, then more criticism is quickly on its way.

When the phrase “Rio success” is used in the title, by no means is it looking towards lifting the World Cup for the first time since 1966. They’ll need more than a calm head and will need the all important consistency to get there.

Though a valiant effort ending in the knockout stages is something that will be widely accepted by England fans, as long as humiliation is avoided. One thing must be for sure, England have the squad resources to escape any possible humiliation or big losses. 

England’s World Cup hopes are some of the slimmest in recent memory. Although this could suddenly change as the Three Lions spirit sweeps the England squad again. If pressure is off their shoulders, how will they really fare?

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Liverpool Now Imperative For England’s Rio Hopes, Effect On Current Campaign

Football

BY NISAR KHAN

Liverpool have become a key part to England’s World Cup campaign in a small period of time. Not only does this make them imperative for the months to follow, but also has an increased strain on their current club campaign.

Liverpool had five starters in England’s International friendly with Denmark last week. THIS IS ANFIELD

In Engand’s one goal win over Denmark last week at Wembley Stadium, five Liverpool players started for the side. Glen Johnson, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge made up the Liverpool backbone for the England squad. 

This came as an epiphany for many who realized just how important The Reds have suddenly become for England’s World Cup hopes come the Summer. Now they will be determined to keep up the good performances to ensure that they become an important part of England. And that is a lot of pressure. 

However, it can reap plenty of benefits. Injuries aside, it will no doubt be a World Cup warm-up, and one big one, considering its a title race, leading up to the Summer. 

Glen Johnson got the full-back position as England defeated Denmark 1 – 0. While he has not done much significant for Liverpool this season it seems like he is well trusted for the job on the right flank. 

Then there is Steven Gerrard, the captain, and the man who will send his troops in search for World Cup glory over 48 years in the making in Brazil. For Steven Gerrard, many say this could be his last World Cup, and if so then this makes it all the more important.

But as football goes, we never really know. Steven Gerrard is the workhorse type of player, so his long career may not be ending, just yet. 

Jordan Henderson has quickly improved over the past two seasons and England caps show it in full light. It is a remarkable story of his improvements to an important part for both Liverpool and England – and Hodgson knows it as both the former Liverpool and current England manager. 

Raheem Sterling’s rise to prominence has been eye-opening for many. Under Brendan Rogers the winger has matured to an extent of looking towards the World Cup. He’s really thrived for Liverpool with plenty of goals being scored, and with Sturridge striking up front, this will only help him solidify a place in Rio. 

Then there’s Daniel Sturridge. Pitted as the biggest goal output for England in the World Cup, England will rely on him a lot, but so are Liverpool, meaning a lot of pressure. Can he perform? This will be our biggest chance to really find out. 

Liverpool are still well in the title race, and in spite of Chelsea’s margin opening up (bare in mind of the games in hand for the others in the top four), they have a lot to focus on. Although they don’t seem the bunch to be torn apart from World Cup rivalry, especially with Luis Suarez set to meet them in the group stage as part of Uruguay, it will play some factor, regardless of it’s magnitude. 

And then there is injuries too, with a demanding climax to the season that could jeopardize, plenty of pressure on England and Liverpool. 

Liverpool’s England five will be very busy leading up to the Summer. How will it pan out for the Reds as part of the Three Lions?

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