Kane’s claim ‘England cliques are gone’ comes back to haunt him after Raheem Sterling and Joe Gomez’s row

HARRY KANE'S recent claim that "England cliques are gone" has come back to haunt him after Raheem Sterling and Joe Gomez's training bust-up.

Three Lions legends from down the years including Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard have spoken about lack of harmony ruining their chances at big tournaments.

But in March, Kane claimed those days are behind England, saying: “The great thing about this team is we have a bit of fun and a laugh and a joke.

"We know when we are here it is all about England.

“We put [team rivalries] to one side and, even with Liverpool and City boys, when we are here, it is 100 per cent England. That has been part of our success.

“You hear things in the past, of people sitting on different tables and teams being divided, and you cannot have that. You need to be 100 per cent together.

"Since I have been here it has been good. Hendo [Jordan Henderson, of Liverpool] and Raheem [Sterling, of City] have known each other for a long time and they are good mates.

"They want to beat each other but they won’t let that get in the way of what is more important this week.”

Well under a year later and already the cracks are starting to show thanks in no small part down to rivalries amongst clubs.

Liverpool beat Manchester City 3-1 in a massive top-of-the-table showdown on Sunday - with Gomez and Sterling clashing during the game.

The City winger is said to have told Gomez "don't f*** with me" after the pair came together late in the game at Anfield.

And the row escalated after Sterling is claimed to have tried to grab the Liverpool man by the throat in an incredible argument in the St George's Park canteen.

Gomez was left with a cut under his eye - but England team-mate Ben Chilwell revealed the pair issued grovelling apologies to the squad.

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Sterling was axed from England's team to play Montenegro in their Euro 2020 qualifier following the row.

In fact, the in-form City winger was in his car on his way home after being cut from the squad altogether - only for Gomez to plead with boss Gareth Southgate to bring him back.

Elsewhere, Southgate revealed his disappointment in not being given the opportunity to sort the row internally due to the leaked information.