Liverpool star Joe Gomez reveals long scratch under his eye after his bust-up with Raheem Sterling as England team-mates at the centre of fall-out appear at training for the first time since canteen bust-up
- England train for the first time since Raheem Sterling clashed with Joe Gomez
- Gareth Southgate has axed Sterling from Thursday’s tie against Montenegro
- Sportsmail revealed how Sterling and Gomez had to be separated on Monday
- Gareth Southgate said emotions were still running high from Sunday’s game
- Sterling himself used Instagram in the early hours of Tuesday to explain himself
- He has since apologised to the team and could play against Kosovo on Sunday
- At training on Tuesday, a scratch underneath Gomez’s right eye was visible
Joe Gomez revealed the aftermath of his bust-up with Raheem Sterling as the pair emerged for England training on Tuesday.
Gomez walked out alongside Liverpool team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold as cameras picked up a scratch underneath the defender’s right eye.
Sterling followed shortly afterwards next to Atletico Madrid full back Kieran Trippier.
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Joe Gomez walks onto the training pitch ahead of England’s session at St George’s Park
He was appearing for the first time since he was involved in a bust-up with Raheem Sterling
A scratch underneath his right eye was picked up by photographers at the training ground
A clear graze could be seen and was a result of the confrontation with Sterling on Monday
It came less than 24 hours after the decision was taken by England manager Gareth Southgate to axe him from the clash against Montenegro on Thursday night.
Sportsmail exclusively revealed on Monday night how Sterling had been withdrawn from the squad for the European Championship qualifier after he was involved in a bust-up with Gomez.
It is understood that Sterling attempted to grab Gomez by the neck following his arrival in the players’ canteen at England’s St George’s Park HQ.
Sterling was back in training for England but won’t play any part against Montenegro
The Manchester City star has since apologised to Gomez and the rest of his team-mates
Sterling and Gomez were face-to-face during the game at Anfield which Liverpool won 3-1
Sterling and Gomez clashed in the match between Liverpool and Manchester City on Sunday
Sterling was sat down in the canteen when Gomez arrived and leant over from behind to shake his hand, leading to him to attempt to grab his team-mate by the neck.
The rest of the England players initially thought Sterling was joking, but it soon became clear that he had lost control and the pair were separated.
The incident followed a confrontation between the two players during Liverpool’s victory over Manchester City in the Premier League at the weekend.
Raheem Sterling posted this statement on Instagram on Tuesday to clarify the situation
Gomez chats with England manager Gareth Southgate on Monday at the St George’s Park base
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Sterling, who could be back in the England side for the game against Kosovo on Sunday, apologised to Gomez after Monday’s incident as well as the rest of the squad.
He used Instagram in the early hours of Tuesday to publicly explain himself.
‘We are in a sport where emotions run high and I am man enough to admit when emotions got the better of me,’ he wrote.
‘Both Joe and I have had words and figured things out and moved on.’
Southgate said he was disappointed that things got out of control, adding: ‘One of the great challenges and strengths for us is that we’ve been able to separate club rivalries from the national team.
‘Unfortunately the emotions of yesterday’s [Sunday] game were still raw.
‘My feeling is that the right thing for the team is the action we have taken. Now that the decision has been made with the agreement of the entire squad, it’s important that we support the players and focus on Thursday night.’
Gomez arrives at St George’s Park on Monday following Liverpool’s win over their title rivals