Roy Hodgson has hit out at the nation’s “obsession” with Wayne Rooney and appealed for a greater appreciation of the squad as a whole as England set out for the World Cup in Brazil.

Clearly disappointed to be asked about competition for Rooney’s position after an adequate if hardly inspiring 3-0 victory against Peru, the England manager insisted the overall balance of the squad was healthy and there was no need to concentrate on individuals, especially one finding his way back to match fitness after a month-long lay-off.

“It is a bit sad that the country is so Wayne Rooney-obsessed,” Hodgson said. “I don’t think Wayne sets himself up to be anything other than a very important member of the squad, someone who does his best and tries his best at all times. Talk about combinations doesn’t interest me. All I want is for Wayne Rooney to play well and Daniel Sturridge to play well.

“We don’t share this obsession with Wayne, we also think that people like Danny Welbeck, Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley and Adam Lallana are in there to play well and help us score goals, too. That’s what a squad is about.

“Wayne and Steven Gerrard have never asked to be elevated to the position they occupy now, they got there because they are good footballers. They deserve to be there. As senior players with a lot of caps they know there is a bit more responsibility resting on their shoulders than for Sterling and Barkley, who have hardly played a game.

“I’m not looking for players to impress me all the time, just to justify my faith in them. If they play as well in an England shirt as they do in their Manchester United and Liverpool shirts, I’ll be happy.”

The concentration of Liverpool players in Hodgson’s squad has increased since its announcement, with Rickie Lambert moving back home from Southampton over the weekend and Adam Lallana poised to follow, should a £25m bid be accepted.

“I congratulate Liverpool on signing a good player,” Hodgson said of Lambert. “I’m sure when you see him against Ecuador in Miami on Wednesday he will be running around with all the joy his heart can muster, because he’s very happy the deal has gone through.

“It’s a pity for Southampton because they have been terrific this year, but the fact is that the good players in England are always going to gravitate towards the top clubs. That’s where the money is, and the Champions League football. Unfortunately, for a club like Southampton, there are always bigger fish in the sea.”