Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has dismissed claims of England having an easy World Cup route.

Fowler wrote for the Mirror: "I don't get all this talk of England and easier routes to the World Cup final... it's baffling nonsense.

"Everyone who is getting involved in this stupid debate seems to be ignoring one immovable fact about what comes next: it's a knockout!

"So, looking down the line, thinking you can plot an easier path through, it's either arrogant in the extreme or totally naive.

"Let me put it this way: no ­disrespect to Japan, but that's an easier game than Colombia. So those people talking about getting an easier route by playing Colombia, well, straight away you are plunged into a much tougher match.

"What do you want? An easier game now in the first knockout round – and a potentially harder one next – or a much harder one now and a potentially easier one next?"