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 as a result.

The Anfield 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."

Celtic's Fraser Forster has also been named in the squad, with former England striker Michael Owen believing it is the best group of players that Hodgson could have picked.

The coach included young players such as Luke Shaw and Ross Barkley, along with experienced internationals like Frank Lampard and Gerrard.

However, there was no place for Ashley Cole, and Michael Carrick was named on the replacements list.

Owen said: "It's a team for now. Yes, it's building for the future but our best players are these players.

"I wouldn't look at it and think 'he's let go of a top-class ageing player in place of a youngster to give him experience'.

"The likes of Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana and Barkley, they're there on merit, they're players that can affect the game at this level.

"It's great that some of our best players are young and they're going to stay in the squad."