Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has blasted West Brom’s Goran Popov, red-carded for spitting at Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker on Sunday, and called for greater punishments for such offences.

The Macedonian faces a three-match ban after being sent off by referee Mark Clattenburg but the England international feels that the inhumane nature of the offence merits more severe consequences.

“Personally I think [the ban] should be more”, the England international opined to The Independent.

“You do something like that which is disgusting. No man should be faced with that.

“You see some people receiving a red card for trying to make a genuine tackle.”

West Brom manager Steve Clarke offered no defence for his charge after the game, declaring himself “absolutely disgusted” with Popov’s behaviour.

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has withdrawn from the England squad for Wednesday’s friendly clash with Brazil.

The 23-year-old has returned to his club for further treatment on a hamstring issue which arose during Sunday afternoon’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City, during which he scored in the first half and was later substituted in injury time.

Having switched to Anfield from Chelsea for £12 million during the January transfer window, Sturridge became the first player since Ray Kennedy back in 1974 to score in each of his first three games for the club.

He joins Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick and Tottenham forward Jermain Defoe on the Three Lions’ casualty list, with manager Roy Hodgson yet to name any replacements for the trio.

Ashley Cole is set to win his 100th cap in the exhibition game, organised as part of the FA’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has declared that his side can still qualify for the Champions League this season.

The Merseyside outfit posted two successive 2-2 draws in tough away fixtures against Arsenal and Manchester City over the last week.

And, with the Reds not facing an away fixture against a top 10 side in their remaining 13 games, the 32-year-old believes a late climb is possible.

“We can take a lot of belief from the way we’ve performed against Arsenal and Manchester City,” he told reporters.

“City are a good side and to go away to the champions and get a point is a good result, but after the way we played we’re disappointed not to get the win.

“We need to build on this and I’m feeling really confident about our ability to move up the table.

“We might not have got the results we wanted against the top sides but every time we have certainly matched them if not bettered them in games.

“No disrespect to the sides we’ve got coming up but if we keep playing like that then we can certainly put in a challenge for fourth place.

“If we perform like that we will pick up a lot of points between now and the end of the season.

“The team is looking really strong at the moment. Before the transfer window we were lacking a bit up front as Luis Suarez was almost having to do two jobs.

“But now Daniel Sturridge has come in and given us more options going forward. Daniel has done brilliantly for us so far.

“Not many sides go to Manchester City and completely dominant large parts of the game like we did. It’s just disappointing that we weren’t able to hang on and see the game out.”