Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits before Fabio Capello's arrival there was a fear playing for England.

Gerrard will lead the Three Lions against Egypt this week.

"I can certainly say I experienced fear when I went out to perform," admitted Gerrard as he picked over his 77 caps earned under five different managers.

"The pressure from supporters always transmitted itself on to the pitch.

"It's always an honour to wear an England shirt but you only had to see some of the performances, myself included, to see it could also be a burden.

"There was a lot of fear out there, it was difficult to play and we made hard work out of the fixtures we should have won. Fabio Capello has got rid of all that. The shackles are off and we play without fear now."