Steven Gerrard is delighted Liverpool pal Raheem Sterling is part of England's World Cup squad.
Gerrard wants the young players, particularly Sterling, to play with freedom, insisting they will benefit by not being weighed down by the burden of expectation.
"I was very pleased for Raheem," he said. "It is always important being an experienced player that you have good young attacking talent in the squad. That you have that no fear and that you are cable to surprise a few out there in Brazil.
"I think the stage is set for Raheem. He has no pressure on him at all. The pressure falls on the experienced players.
"We want the likes of Raheem, Ross Barkley and Luke Shaw to just go there and enjoy it and keep doing what they've been doing for their clubs.
"It's very exciting. The managers have picked a great mix of players. A good mix of players; good experienced players who have been around the block and young players who have had terrific seasons.
"He hasn't picked them because he wants young players on the squad but he's picked them because they are good enough and because they've shown excellent form throughout the Premier League games.
"They are here because they are very talented. They are here on merit."
