Liverpool Boss Stunned by Roy Hodgson's Decision

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was shocked to see his young full back Jon Flanagan omitted from Roy Hodgson's England squad for the upcoming friendly with Denmark.

The 21-year-old full back has often deputised in the Reds' first team this season while both Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique have been ruled out through injury and was once again given the nod as Liverpool dismissed Southampton 3-0 at St Mary's on Saturday.

Flanagan has started in commanding wins over Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Arsenal this season and Rodgers firmly believes the youngster's high level of performance in such games merited a call up to the senior squad, or at very least Gareth Southgate's Under-21 ranks.

"I couldn't believe he wasn't even in the U21's," Rodgers told Liverpool's official website. "I thought he might have been in with a chance of the full national team because he's played in big games since he came into the team and had been outstanding – but I was equally surprised he wasn't in the U21's.

"He is a young player and still has a way to go. He's improving all the time – you can see home and away he's playing at a really high level. "He'll just continue to improve and develop and I'm sure he will get in there at some stage."

Liverpool's win over Southampton saw them move into second place in the Premier League, just four points off Chelsea who extended their lead at the top with a win over Fulham. Manchester City are fourth six points off the pace but with two games in hand.

With excitement growing across the red half of Merseyside over the club's title challenge, Rodgers has urged caution with just 10 game of the season remaining.

"It's our job to stay calm," Rodgers said. "It's for the supporters to dream and I think they're enjoying watching their team.

"They are getting huge pleasure from the effort of the players, the spirit of the players but also, very importantly, the quality of the players. They have come away to a difficult place and won 3-0. It's just about concentrating on the next game.

"It was a big week for us, preparing for this game. Tactically, the players were great; they analysed the opponent and carried out what we asked them to do on the field."