Roy Hodgson says the fans who booed Harry Maguire during England’s win over the Ivory Coast need to ‘grow up.’

The Manchester United defender was booed by a section of England fans when his name was read out before kick-off on Tuesday and that booing continued during his first few touches of the ball.

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England manager Gareth Southgate condemned those who booed the defender and a number of teammates have leapt to the defence of Maguire, including Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.

Watford boss Hodgson, who managed England between 2012 and 2016, also couldn’t believe that Maguire received that reception.

Hodgson said: “I don’t understand it. I don’t understand where the impetus for that comes from. I don’t know what the fans are reading or what they are being encouraged to do. It strikes me as being virtually beyond any comprehension as far as I’m concerned.

“Last year in the final, he was one of the heroes of the country. I don’t understand how, suddenly, he deserves to be booed. Maybe you will tell me that something has been going on with Harry Maguire that I’ve missed because I don’t follow every single thing that is being said or written.

“Maybe I’m being naïve but having seen nothing to warrant any criticism of Maguire – other than the fact that the Manchester United fans are unhappy that their team is losing.

“I would have to say to all fans there: ‘Grow up,’ because if you want to support football, sometimes your team is going to win and sometimes your team is going to lose.”

Hodgson was speaking ahead of Watford’s clash at Liverpool on Saturday. His former club are just one point behind leaders Manchester City in what looks set to be one of the most exciting Premier League title races ever.

Watford, on the other hand, are in the midst of a relegation battle but come into this weekend’s game – which is live on talkSPORT – off the back of 2-1 away win over Southampton.

All of Watford’s eight points under Hodgson have come away from home and the Hornets will be further boosted by the return of star winger Ismaila Sarr from injury.

However, the Golden Boys have not won at Anfield since 1999 and with Liverpool vying for the title under Jurgen Klopp, Hodgson is fully away of the threat that the Reds will pose.

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Asked how he will approach this weekend’s game, Hodgson said: “With trepidation I suppose is the answer because they are good and they are at the top of the table and we are at the bottom.

“Every time you play a team like Liverpool you know the odds are stacked against us and that doesn’t matter whether you’re just below them in the table or a long way below them in the table.

“All we can do is hope we are able to produce, on the day, the sort of performance that will get us the result that will surprise the football world because, of course, we go there very clearly as underdogs.”

On Ismaila Sarr, Hodgson finished: “His [Sarr’s] chances of being involved are okay as far as I’m concerned. I’ve seen him today and he’s been recovering.

“It’s been a hard journey for him to play for Senegal this time, but a very successful one so that’s buoyed his spirits, I’m sure.

“I’m pretty certain he’s going to be putting his hands up tomorrow and asking to be put into the starting line-up.

“As far as I’m concerned, a player of his quality is going to be very important for the club if we are to pull ourselves away from the relegation zone because you can’t do it without players of that sort of quality.”