The England striker has come in for criticism for his performance in his side’s World Cup opener while the Argentina legend praised Roy Hodgson’s decision to start Raheem Sterling

Diego Maradona believes Wayne Rooney failed on the biggest stage as England fell to a 2-1 defeat to Italy on Saturday.

Roy Hodgson opted to start the Manchester United striker on the left wing in Manaus for his side’s Group D opener, with Rooney coming in for criticism for his failure to adequately shield full-back Leighton Baines from the marauding threat of Antonio Candreva, who provided the cross for Mario Balotelli’s winner.

And Maradona has joined the list of the 28-year-old’s critics, writing in his Times of India column: “It was an entertaining encounter where both teams tried to attack. Italy had more possession, but the young England side was remarkably speedy when they had the ball.

“Rooney, who is yet to score a World Cup goal, failed to produce the magic that was expected of him.”

However, the Argentina legend – who famously dumped England out of the 1986 World Cup – praised Hodgson’s decision to select Raheem Sterling, and backed the Three Lions to take their good form into their do-or-die clash with Uruguay on Thursday.

“Hodgson gambled with Sterling and his move paid off,” he added. “In Euro 2012 the Italy-England match was totally dominated by the Azzurri, but on Saturday it was different.

“England showed their intent and with Uruguay’s surprise 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica, Hodgson’s team will have to play for survival against [Oscar] Tabarez’s Uruguay in Sao Paulo.”

Yet Maradona reserved his most effusive praise for Andrea Pirlo, who dominated the midfield at the age of 35 and almost scored for Italy with a gravity-defying free kick late on.

“Pirlo’s late free kick had beaten Hart and hit the bar,” he added. “It could have increased the margin of victory. Pirlo played a near-perfect match in his role of regista – one who controls the flow of the team’s offensive play.

“No matter how hard England tried to equalise, it was too much for them.”

The England striker believes his compatriot, and captain at Liverpool, remains one of the best players on the planet and is looking forward to playing alongside him at club level

Rickie Lambert is excited about the prospect of playing alongside “world-class” Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard next season.

The 32-year-old secured an emotional return to Liverpool from Southampton earlier this summer, before heading to Brazil with England for the World Cup, where he is also captained by Gerrard.

And Lambert is looking forward to playing alongside the Anfield skipper regularly next term, hailing his influence on all members of Brendan Rodgers’ squad.

He told the club’s official website: “He’s still one of our best players – still world-class, in my opinion. As a deep-lying midfielder he’s one of the best.

“And he’s good off the field too – not one to shout.

“He does his actions on the pitch and he speaks to the young lads and puts an arm around them when it’s needed.

“It was top drawer the way he walked off with Raheem Sterling when Raheem was sent off against Ecuador. The young lads aren’t intimidated and he’s one of the main reasons for that.”

Gerrard has hinted that the Brazil showpiece could be his last tournament with England, but Lambert has backed him to extend his international career beyond the South American showpiece.

“Whatever decision he makes everyone is going to be behind him and respectful of it,” added the former Southampton man.

“But, if you are asking my opinion, I think he can go on for a number of years.”

Though Roy Hodgson’s men were beaten 2-1 by Italy in Manaus on Saturday, the Three Lions skipper feels that they showed enough enterprise to progress from Group D

England captain Steven Gerrard feels that the Three Lions showed enough in defeat against Italy to suggest that they can still make it out of World Cup Group D.

Claudio Marchisio’s first-half opener was swiftly cancelled out by Daniel Sturridge’s goal but Mario Balotelli struck early in the second period and, despite long periods of pressure, Roy Hodgson’s men could not find another equaliser in Manaus.

With rivals Uruguay having earlier suffered a shock 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica, though, Gerrard remains hopeful of progression.

“Whatever the result tonight we would have had to go and beat Uruguay anyway,” he told BBC Sport after the game on Saturday. “The challenge is a bit more difficult but certainly doable.

“Italy are a good team but we knew how they were going to play. They never surprised us. It’s disappointing because we put so much into it and came away with nothing.”

England were enterprising despite the defeat, with the likes of youngster Raheem Sterling impressing in an exciting attack, and the skipper was pleased with their intent.

“We got criticised four years ago for sitting back and being toothless but anyone who watched the game could see we were trying to create,” he enthused.

“We pushed and pushed. We gave it everything we’ve got and were unlucky not to get anything out of it.

“The chances were there and we created them. Maybe we need to look at finishing a few more chances off but we can’t point any fingers because everyone has given everything they’ve got tonight. The effort, desire and commitment was there.

“We weren’t sure how Italy would improve from two years ago but they certainly found another gear,” he added. “If we look at the game as a whole we can be pleased. It just goes to show how cruel this level can be.

“It was a tough night but, whatever the conditions, it was always going to be tough playing Italy. It was warm, sticky, dry and moving under the foot but they are just excuses at the end of the day and we are still not out of this group.”