LIVERPOOL legend Jamie Carragher has accused some England players of "not turning up" at Euro 2024.
The Three Lions were held to a dull 0-0 draw by Slovenia on Tuesday.
They subsequently topped Group C with five points - but fans were left unsatisfied following three underwhelming performances.
While many have criticised manager Gareth Southgate for his tactical approach, Carragher believes the players should take some more responsibility.
In his column for The Telegraph, he wrote: "So far, England’s stars have not turned up and their best performances have been in the pre-match interviews.
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"When Harry Kane and Declan Rice came out fighting after the criticism that followed the Denmark draw, no one was applauding them more than me.
"They looked and sounded like the leaders they are. The trouble is, when you speak like that, you have to back it up where it really matters. To me, that made the Slovenia performance the worst yet."
The Liverpool icon went on to cite Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham's outstanding form at club level, questioning why they have been unable to replicate it on the international stage.
England’s stars have not turned up and their best performances have been in the pre-match interviews."
Jamie Carragher
He continued: "Southgate has backed his senior players throughout his reign. He continued to do so with his Slovenia selection, drowning out the noise demanding wholesale changes. After analysing the game, he cannot resist that any longer.
"England need a radical solution, and that means leaving out big names because others deserve their chance to shine.
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"The obvious inclusions for the round of 16 are [Kobbie] Mainoo, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon. Like Mainoo, Palmer impressed as substitute against Slovenia, and the team are more balanced with Gordon’s pace.
"Ripping up part of the team and starting again may be against Southgate’s instincts. He has never had to do it before in tournament football. Now he goes into every game knowing it could be his last as the England manager.
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"The alternative is more of the same, with players trying to paint a positive picture based on the fact England won the group and are unbeaten."
England broke an unwanted European Championship record following Tuesday's match against Slovenia.
Having topped Group C with five points and two goals scored, the Three Lions contributed to the joint lowest-scoring group in European Championship history.
England are set to play in the round-of-16 on Sunday, with their opponents yet to be determined.
