Johnson: Hodgson fine with me

Fresh from his goal against West Ham, Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has cleared the air about rumours of a falling out with Roy Hodgson.

The Reds manager criticised Johnson’s output this season, doubting the reasoning for Johnson’s right-back’s position in the England national side.

Both coach and player have played down the controversy, but the 26-year-old former Portsmouth, West Ham and Chelsea defender was the first to admit he could improve on the pitch.

“Believe me, no-one wants me to find my best form more than me, and I was aware of what I had to do,” Johnson said.

“It was a little reminder from the boss, he told me that was what he meant by it.”

Johnson said the criticism from Hodgson was meant to come off as positive reinforcement, and not a threat to his starting spot at Anfield.

“We spoke, and he explained he wanted it to help me, to push me and I said to him then, I don’t need people to tell me, I know where I’m at in terms of form, and I knew it all already,” he said.

“The gaffer told me he has faith in my ability, we spoke and we cleared things up. Sometimes comments like that can be made to look more negative than they are meant.”

Johnson had missed six of the Reds’ seven English Premier League games prior to Saturday’s encounter with the Hammers, with the defender scoring the opening goal to set his side on its way to a 3-0 win.

He said injuries had hindered his ability to maintain consistency this season.

“No player wants to be injured, and it has been frustrating to me, to be out for so long,” Johnson said.

“But that was more like it for me on Saturday. I think it has been a difficult season for me, but it has been a difficult season for a lot of teams and a lot of players.”