What is it with the best English players we've had at Liverpool in recent times that they struggle to reproduce their form at International level? Bad luck? Coincidence? Or can anyone come up with a real reason?
John Barnes - His wonder goal v Brazil aside, he often got booed by England fans as he couldn't produce his LFC form for the national side.
Mark Wright - Regarded as a solid defender for England and Derby, then moved to LFC where his form dipped badly for a few seasons. When he re-emerged as a good defender for us he was too old to be considered again for England.
Steve McManaman - One of our most skilful players, man-marked every time he played for us because he was so dangerous. Often criticised for a lack of end-product, but in his late-20's he added this to his game and was snapped up by Madrid, the best club side in the world at the time. Yet he rarely produced for England. Struggled to hold Steve Stone off under Venables at Euro '96 and then didn't get a look in after the emergence of Beckham.
Robbie Fowler - To be fair he never let himself down for England, but still didn't quite reach his club form for them. A victim of being a young striker when England had a host of experienced strikers in that position - Shearer, Sheringham, Wright, Ferdinand etc.
Jamie Redknapp - One of the best passers in the English game in his prime, but rarely looked the business for England. Often played wide left out of position.
Paul Ince - Perhaps not a good example as he was just past his peak when he joined us. Had been superb for England when at United and Inter, but found himself left out of the squad while at LFC, before earning a recall when he joined Boro.
Michael Owen - The one true exception that bucks the trend. Equally as effective for LFC and England
This brings us to our current players...
Gerrard - Unquestionably the best English midfielder, but is a victim of Sven's tactics where he's played out of position to accomodate Lampard. Despite this he has rarely looked the business for England even when deployed in his best position.
Carragher - Hard to judge really as I can hardly remember him getting a game for England in his best position of centre half.
Crouch - Has done well for England to date, but still too early in his International career to judge.
I can't think of an underlying reason why LFC players of recent times have been largely disappointing for England, the case of each player and reasons why they haven't done it for England have to be looked at individually imo, but it certainly is a coincidence when you think about it. Hopefully the current crop of LFC players can well and truly buck the trend either during this world cup or when Sven finally walks.