Uruguay v England: Liverpool friends become foes

Liverpool’s England contingent are set for their second World Cup 2014 clash on Thursday night, facing club teammate Luis Suarez and Uruguay in Sao Paulo.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 23, 2013: Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge, captain Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez looks dejected after Everton's third goal during the 221st Merseyside Derby Premiership match at Goodison Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Both England and Uruguay lost their opening World Cup games to the hands of Italy and Costa Rica respectively and defeat for either tonight would all but end their hopes of progressing from the group stage.

Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Glen Johnson and Daniel Sturridge all lined-up for Roy Hodgson’s Three Lions against Italy, whilst new signing Rickie Lambert was on the bench.

Suarez meanwhile missed Uruguay’s defeat to Costa Rica, but having recovered from knee surgery is raring to go against England.

Gerrard says when the game kicks off at Arena Corinthians at 8pm (UK), all friendship with Suarez will be left in the tunnel.

“If I walk past him in the tunnel I will say hello and shake his hand but, at that moment, I am not really looking for friends or club-mates,” the 34-year-old said.

“Before and after he is a friend and a teammate. He knows that once that whistle blows there is no friendship at all between me and Luis Suarez for however long we play.”

“There is a respect but we are both focused on the jobs we need to do for our teams.”

Suarez will be eager to get revenge on English football for his treatment by the media and FA since his arrival at Liverpool in 2011.

Another Red, defender Sebastian Coates could also play for Uruguay against England after an injury to captain Diego Lugano ruled him out of the clash.

Uruguay v England gets underway at 8pm (UK) on Thursday night at Arena Corinthians, São Paulo and it’s live on ITV.

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