Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson
Football Focus

"I think Raheem Sterling has been hung out to dry by Roy Hodgson, I really do. It was a conversation between themselves. He had the 'cojones' to go to his manager and admit he was a bit tired. I think it's all a bit strange."

On Friday, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers criticised the media's treatment of Raheem Sterling in the past week as "grossly unfair".

Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA's former director of football development: On Raheem Sterling playing so many games:

"What's been the problem for Liverpool is Daniel Sturridge being injured as well. Mario Balotelli has not come in and scored, so wherever you look it's not quite picked up from the tail end of last season where they were fantastic, Liverpool. So the spotlight comes on Raheem.

Image source, Getty Images

"At the moment for Liverpool where they just need to get that couple of wins he's going to have to play if you're in Brendan Rodgers' position because he's without Sturridge, Luis Suarez has gone and one or two others are struggling with their form."

Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville
Football Focus

"The situation between Liverpool and England with Raheem Sterling, they need to sort it out now, because it is not healthy for either of them.

"I do feel sympathy for Sterling. He probably went to see Roy Hodgson and said he was tired, and maybe that could have been kept behind closed doors. But resting him now will see him perform better in the latter stages of this season.

Image source, Getty Images

"Daniel Sturridge's injury is a real blow for Liverpool. They needed speed, they have missed it over the last month, but Sturridge has always had a problem staying fit for the whole of the season."

Al Mamum Russell:, external If Raheem Sterling plays the full 90 minutes today, will it douse the fire or spark new flames?

BBC Radio 5 live
Sportsweek

Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA's former director of football development: On whether it would have been better for England manager Roy Hodgson not to make public the reasons for Raheem Sterling being left out of the team:

"Raheem's problem is he's the outstanding current player for Liverpool and for his country so suddenly everyone assumes he's an automatic selection. In the second game, if he had not started him everyone would have asked: 'Why is he not playing?'

"Roy tends to be open and honest so this one has come back to bite. What's been unfair during the week is it's almost grown to where they say: 'He didn't want to play' - which is a nonsense.

"He played in the U17 World Cup, he always turned up for the team, he likes playing for England, he's played well for us in the different age groups and is going to be a top player for us moving forward.

"You've got to remember he came on for 20 minutes and got the free-kick which gave England the win. He's a key man for both teams at the moment - that's the problem."

Will Raheem Sterling get a game today? It's been a difficult week for the youngster, after he missed England's victory in Estonia last weekend.

England manager Roy Hodgson claimed the 19-year-old asked to sit out the 1-0 win in Estonia because of fatigue, but Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has criticised the treatment of Sterling as "grossly unfair".

"It has been grossly unfair how the kid has been put on the back pages for something he clearly did not say," said Rodgers.

One man who won't be involved today is Daniel Sturridge, who has suffered a setback in his return from injury. It could be another month before we see the England striker back in action.

"He's looking at being out for two to four weeks," Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo. "It's a big blow as we were looking forward to welcoming Daniel back. He has worked tirelessly.

"But we have other players training hard and working hard and we will turn to them. It's why we bulked up the squad in the summer."

Following Sunderland's 8-0 defeat away to Southampton on Saturday, we are asking: What's the worst defeat you have ever suffered in sport?

Dion Farnes:, external Lost 17-0 to the Goose & Gander 2nd XI, made more remarkable by the fact they used a real scarecrow as a goalkeeper.

Owen Webster:, external My team lost 16-0 when we were U10s. I was in goal but still got man of the match somehow. 'Kept the score down' apparently!.

Get in touch on Twitter using #bbcfootball,, external send us a text on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+ pages., external

MOTD2 Extra

Enjoying a spot of Sunday brunch? Why not enjoy your food while watching Match of the Day 2 Extra? Mark Chapman is joined by Alan Shearer, commentator Steve Bower and Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft. BBC One now. Or watch via this page.

Warnock behaviour disgusting - Garth Crooks
BBC Sport

"I don't think Neil Warnock or any manager has the right to tell his players whether or not to shake the referee's hand. For a manager to go on the pitch and do that is disgusting. The manager should be taking the lead on behaviour of his players."

The Chelsea juggernaut steamrollered on yesterday. Their 10 men proved better than the 10 men of Crystal Palace in a 2-1 win.

Not that Neil Warnock was too impressed. The Eagles boss has since claimed referee Craig Pawson was "influenced" by Chelsea players during the game.

"The one thing I've not missed when I've been doing media work is refereeing performances like that," Warnock raged. "I thought he was influenced today."

Image source, Reuters

Like your stats? Wondering how Manchester City's four-goal hero Sergio Aguero compares with the best players in the world? Well, wonder no more because BBC Sport's Chris Bevan has compiled all the stats for you in this feature.

Image source, Getty Images

I wonder how Big Sam's feeling today? The West Ham manager saw his side move into the top four of the Premier League with victory at Burnley... then went on a big night out in the north west with friends to celebrate his 60th birthday.

I can picture it now. It's just gone midnight in the Phoenix Club and Big Sam's throwing some shapes to the cabaret act - top button undone and tie around his head...

Following Sunderland's 8-0 defeat away to Southampton on Saturday, we are asking: What's the worst defeat you have ever suffered in sport?

Stewie-Wright-Taylor:, external Once lost 2-0 on the final day to lose the title, after me and my fellow striker were both sent off in the opening seven minutes.

Get in touch on Twitter using #bbcfootball,, external send us a text on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+ pages., external

Football fans across Europe were in fine form this Saturday, with banners and stunts ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace supporters displayed this banner referencing the impact Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has had on English football since his enormous financial investment in the Blues.

Fans of Turkish club Galatasaray recreated the moment former manager Graeme Souness planted their flag in the centre-circle of Istanbul rivals Fenerbahce after winning the Turkish Cup in 1996. Steve Crossman, of the BBC World Service, took this picture.

Image source, @samuelfoyle

And one cheeky Southampton fan, Samuel Foyle,, external displayed little grace in victory after picturing himself with Sunderland defender Santiago Vergini, who scored a spectacular own-goal in his side's 8-0 defeat.

BBC Radio 5 live
Sportsweek

Former Southampton and Sunderland manager Lawrie McMenemy: "Up until yesterday Sunderland had only lost one game and conceded seven. That was doubled after 90 minutes. I felt sorry for the supporters, who were fantastic, the more goals their team conceded the louder they sang. And they had a seven or eight-hour trip home after that. It was one of those games that people in the future will say: 'I was there'. 8-0 in the Premier League, it is unbelievable.

Image source, Getty Images

"I've been to every home Southampton game so far this year and before the season started we just expected the worst. The door was open and players were trotting out. But Ronald Koeman has done a fantastic job. He's put a team together, when any professional would have thought they would have taken time to gel. But top eight is a possibility, and after yesterday you are looking at them thinking: 'Bring it on!' The players who left in the summer are not forgotten, but they are not missed either."

Alan Shearer, on Match of the Day

"Sunderland were absolutely woeful, embarrassing. The players downed tools far too early. I'll be fascinated to see Gus Poyet's team next weekend. They all deserve to be left out because it was terrible."

"Koeman deserves a tremendous amount of credit. He has brought players in and they have gelled so quickly."

So what did Gus Poyet actually think about yesterday's early Halloween horror show at St Mary's? Well, he described it as his "most embarrassing" moment in football.

"I cannot watch it again," said Poyet, 46. "I learned a lot about the players - the bad side as some gave up and I know who they are for the future. I feel very sorry for the fans."

So how do you get over a defeat like Sunderland's? I once asked a football manager how he spent the next day following a 5-0 defeat. "By hiding under the duvet and watching Bridget Jones's Diary," he said. I think he was joking - I doubt Gus Poyet will be watching chick flicks and eating a giant tub of ice cream while sat in his pyjamas.

So, what's the worst defeat you have ever suffered in sport? I once played in a 5-a-side game which lasted 40 minutes and my team were lucky to escape with a 32-0 defeat. True story. I think the other team had a bunch of ringers playing for them.

That's your early debate for today. Keep it clean, and let's make it entertaining.

Get in touch on Twitter using #bbcfootball,, external send us a text on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+ pages., external

But today, as I'm sure you are all aware, is another day in the Premier League. And while we'll briefly dissect the best and worst of yesterday's action, there's plenty of other things to look forward to - chiefly, the two matches which are coming our way.

First of all, Liverpool travel to bottom club QPR for a 1.30pm (BST) kick-off. At 4pm, it's Stoke v Swansea.

Will Gus Poyet be watching the games from the sanctuary of his living room? Or will he have his players in for extra training - what's the biggest hill in Sunderland to run up? The Black Cats might well be scaling it today.