Johnson reveals Hodgson talks

Glen Johnson admits he didn’t need telling by Roy Hodgson of his poor form – and revealed to holding clear-the-air talks with the Liverpool manager.

Hodgson criticised Johnson earlier this month for not living up to his standing of England's first-choice right-back following a series of underwhelming displays.

It prompted rumours of an imminent departure, with Alberto Aquilani, the Liverpool midfielder on loan at Juventus, urging the Italians to make a January move for the defender.

Johnson returned to the first team from injury on Saturday and impressed while scoring the opening goal as Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 win over former club West Ham United.

And the 26-year-old suggests he was more than aware of his own poor showings this season.

"Believe me, no-one wants me to find my best form more than me, and I was aware of what I had to do," said Johnson. "It was a little reminder from the boss, he told me that was what he meant by it.

"We spoke, and he explained he wanted it to help me, to push me and I said to him then, I don't need people to tell me, I know where I'm at in terms of form, and I knew it all already.

"The gaffer told me he has faith in my ability, we spoke and we cleared things up. Sometimes comments like that can be made to look more negative than they are meant.

"The boss explained that he didn't mean it in a negative way, just that he knew I had more to offer than I was showing, and wanted to get that from me."

Niggling injuries had forced Johnson to miss six of Liverpool's previous seven games, a spell during which Hodgson's side arrested their dreadful start to the campaign with victories over Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea.

And the defender admits it has been a struggle to regain full fitness after returning from England's disastrous World Cup showing in South Africa during the summer.

"No player wants to be injured, and it has been frustrating to me, to be out for so long," he said.

"But that was more like it for me on Saturday. I think it has been a difficult season for me, but it has been a difficult season for a lot of teams and a lot of players.

"You just have to keep doing what you've done in the past, and try to reignite some of that form.

"The last seven games I haven't played, and it is impossible to improve your form if you are not out there, so it's been extra frustrating for me.

"I had some niggling injuries at the start of the season, and when you don't have that consistency it can affect your form. I'm not making excuses, but sometimes it is difficult."

Liverpool's win moved them to within three points of the European qualification places, despite having lost five of their 13 Premier League games this season.

And Johnson added: "It surprises me to be honest, that the win against West Ham took us to within three points of fourth place. Considering some of the points we have dropped, some of the games we have lost you'd have thought we would be out of it already, to be honest.

"But we're in there, because everyone's beating everyone at the moment and the league's really open. That means if we can put a run together we can get up there where we aim to be."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.