Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has questioned Gareth Southgate's decision to leave defender Joe Gomez out of the recent England squad.
Gomez, 24, is yet to start in the Premier League this season but his club manager believes that shouldn't stop him from being selected for his country.
Klopp told the press on Friday: "Sometimes Gareth reacts if you are not playing for your club you can't play for the national team. Obviously there is a special thing for Mr Stones."
Manchester City defender John Stones, 27, played for England against Andorra and Hungary during the international break, despite not featuring for his club this term.
City boss Pep Guardiola has been reluctant to play Stones as he continues to rebuild his fitness after helping the Three Lions reach the final of Euro 2020.
Guardiola recently revealed: "When John comes back, he will wait for his moment and he will show his quality, like he did last season.
"We want him to be fit, because we need him. We are in big trouble in many departments because we have many injuries and a lot of games so hopefully they can come back as soon as possible."
But Klopp is frustrated that Stones has been given precious minutes by Southgate, while his England star Gomez misses out.
The Liverpool boss added: "He's in top shape. Joe hasn't been called up, it would have helped him. He's an exceptional centre-half.
"We have five exceptional centre-backs. Nat Phillips is not in the squad but [neither is Ibrahima] Konate and Joe as well.
"Last year taught us we need at least four centre-backs but when they are all healthy, we get these questions.
"It's not perfect every week for them but it's the situation and they deal really well with it because of their quality."
Gomez has proven his fitness since his comeback, starting and completing the intense Champions League clash against AC Milan last month.
Discussing his performance in that game with Liverpool's website, he said: "Obviously there was a lot going through my mind.
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"There's a lot of aspects to it mentally when you haven't played for so long, a lot of visioning different scenarios.
"But once you get out there and with the noise and the atmosphere behind you, a lot of that goes out of the window. I enjoyed it.
"Obviously I've got a lot of gratitude to be back out there. Like I said, it was a moment I waited a long time for, so I really enjoyed the night."
