No Gerrard doubts for Hodgson

Roy Hodgson has no concerns over the mental state of England captain Steven Gerrard despite Liverpool's agonising end to the season. The 33-year-old shone for the Reds this term and looked set to lead his hometown club to a first top-flight league title since 1990.However, Gerrard's slip against Chelsea last month played a key role in diverting Liverpool off-track, seeing them fall to a 2-0 defeat - their first of 2014 - before eventually being pipped to the post by Manchester City.The Liverpool skipper now has a week off before linking-up with his England team-mates for the World Cup - a tournament former Reds boss Hodgson is confident he will be ready for mentally."I have no concerns whatsoever," the England manager said. "I am very disappointed for him, of course, and I share his disappointment."I was very sad that he feels responsible for a mistake, which I think was not a mistake from him as an individual footballer but a moment in a game of football where he slipped over."Unfortunately, he slipped over at the wrong time and a goal was scored whereas in the game I saw when they played Manchester City, Vincent Kompany slipped, missed a header to give Liverpool victory and it could have been the other way round."I've got to say I'm very philosophical about these things. I know it is harder for the players to be, especially when you're part of it."But Steven is very strong, extremely proud, he loves Liverpool but he also loves England. I do not have any doubts whatsoever that he'll be as good as he ever was during this World Cup."

Source: PA