The former England winger, who once scored a stunning goal against Brazil at the Maracana, insists the Liverpool youngster should be allowed to develop at his own pace

One-time England prodigy John Barnes says Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling should not be put under too much pressure heading into this summer’s World Cup.

Sterling is set to be deployed on the wing by coach Roy Hodgson for his country’s Group D campaign against Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica.

The 19-year-old Liverpool starlet has the hopes of a nation resting on his shoulders, after a brilliant Premier League campaign at Anfield.

But Barnes, who played at the 1986 and 1990 World Cups for England and scored a stunning solo goal against Brazil at the Maracana, insists that the teenager should not overburdened.

“I still don’t want to put so much pressure on him, now that he has shown so much quality in the last few months of the season,” Barnes said.

“Maybe he is going to be inconsistent because he is young. But in terms of what he did in the last few months of the season, he was probably the best player in England.

“Not the best English player; the best player in England, the best attacking player in England.”

Sterling scored nine goals and provided seven assists for Liverpool in the Premier League in 2013-14.