England manager Fabio Capello has defended the national team's use of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in Wednesday night's friendly loss to France. The Reds midfielder was not supposed to play more than an hour as England and Liverpool reportedly agreed but Capello kept him on past that mark and Gerrard eventually sustained a hamstring injury which will keep him out for up to four weeks.

Liverpool were furious after their skipper went off hurt but Capello said that the final call was up to England and not Liverpool as Gerrard was representing the national team and not the Reds.

"We spoke with Steve and said he would play one hour, but after Gareth Barry's injury we had some problems. That was the reason he stayed on the pitch," the Italian said.

"If it's possible, the players will play the time we agreed with the club. But Barry was really injured so we needed someone senior on the pitch because it was a really young team.

"He said he was good so, for that reason, it's good. We're upset about what happened to Steve, of course.

"They (Liverpool) asked that he can play one hour if it's possible. If it's possible. They can't decide how long a player plays with the national team. If it's possible, he'd have played an hour.

"I understand why they're upset, and I'm also upset. The problem is that, when you play this game on Wednesday after a lot of Premier League, Europa League or Champions League games, it's possible there might be an injury for a player."

Liverpool strength and conditioning coach Darren Burgess was livid when watching the match as his Twitter page showed: "Completely amateurish and now we pay for their incompetence. Absolutely disgraceful.

"Unbelievable from all associated with England and English FA with regards to SG's injury. Completely ignored agreement and past history."