Daniel Sturridge: 'Wayne Rooney makes it easy for me'

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has claimed that playing alongside Wayne Rooney for England makes his job easier.

The Reds forward, who hit 21 goals last season, is expected to lead the line for the Three Lions at the World Cup, and he talked up the talents of the Manchester United man.

Sturridge told Liverpool's official TV station: "I think me and Wazza (Rooney), are different players, and it's easy to play with guys like him.

"It makes my job so much easier for me to go out there and express myself, because the defenders are worrying about him anyway, so I'm given a free run.

"Everyone's together, it's the same with the club and the country and that's the most important thing. I feel good, I feel I'm improving."

The 24-year-old opened the scoring as Roy Hodgson's side beat Peru 3-0 last week.