Liverpool legend John Barnes says England will never improve until more players are playing in the Champions League.

Barnes, who won 79 caps, believes the side have suffered as the top clubs are not giving English players enough chances at elite level.

He said: "Roy Hodgson no longer has the players.

"Compare this team to five years ago with the so-called 'golden era'.

"The Beckhams, Gerrards, Lampards, Coles and Owens were playing at the highest level for the top teams in England.

"Now the team is made of players not playing for the top clubs in England.

"That is going to work against the national team.

"You need players playing for the Chelseas, Arsenals, Uniteds and regularly in the Champions League, or the national team suffers.

"I have sympathy with Roy Hodgson as the make-up of his team, through no fault of his own, is not as good as in the last 10 years."