Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler believes that it is "wrong" to criticise Raheem Sterling for admitting that he was too tired to start for England in their Euro 2016 qualifier against Estonia last Sunday.
Manager Roy Hodgson confirmed that the Liverpool starlet did not feel as though he was in his best form due to fatigue and opted to start on the bench.
The 19-year-old featured in the second half of the away trip as the Three Lions went on to grab a 1-0 win over Estonia.
Sterling has faced criticism for stepping aside due to tiredness, but Fowler believes that the player should be praised for putting the team first.
"I take my hat off to Raheem," Fowler told the Liverpool Echo. "I'm chuffed that he had the guts to speak up and say what we did as it showed maturity.
"It was a selfless act and people are wrong to have a go at him. What he did was for the benefit of the team. Not everyone puts the team first like that."
Meanwhile, reports have claimed that Sterling has agreed a new contract with Liverpool.
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