Hodgson worried over Liverpool readiness

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson admitted on Sunday that he was concerned by his team’s readiness for the Premier League kick-off.

Hodgson was able to field summer signing Joe Cole as well as England colleagues Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson for the first time on Sunday as his team lost 1-0 at Borussia Moenchengladbach in a friendly.

But the Anfield boss said it has been difficult to prepare for the new campaign due to the extended breaks many of his senior stars were afforded following the World Cup.

“I am seeing improvements in some individual players but we haven’t really had the chance to work together as a team as yet,” Hodgson told www.liverpoolfc.tv.

“I don’t even think we’re going to be together as a team as I would like us to be on August 15 as we are still reintegrating players.

“Joe and Steven played their first 60 minutes today, Jamie Carragher played 45 and Johnson 55 – we’re just reintegrating players all the time. It’s going to take a bit of time.”

Liverpool were sunk on Sunday by an eighth-minute goal from Borussia’s Karim Matmour.