Danny Murphy has claimed that England manager Roy Hodgson blundered by revealing that Raheem Sterling asked to be rested for the Three Lions' Euro 2016 qualifier against Estonia on Sunday.
The Liverpool winger, who came off the bench in the 1-0 win, has come in for fierce criticism from some England fans on social media.
Former Liverpool and England midfielder Murphy believes that Hodgson could have protected the 19-year-old better.
"I think Roy will regret putting it out there," he told talkSPORT. "I think he could have just maybe taken it on the chin and said, 'I thought I'd give him a little breather', rather than put it on the lad.
"He wouldn't have intentionally put it on him to create this, but I think Roy could have dealt with it differently.
"I'm very surprised and if Roy could turn back the clock, I don't think he would do it and say it the way he did because he has caused Raheem a problem and he wouldn't want to do that."
Sterling has appeared to defend himself against his critics on Twitter this morning.
Steven Toplis
