What a difference a year has made to Liverpool star Adam Lallana

It was exactly a year ago today that England’s World Cup dream was destroyed in their opening game against Italy in Manaus.

The 2-1 defeat set the tone for a hugely-disappointing tournament in Brazil.

Twelve months on, Roy Hodgson takes his new-look team to Slovenia, looking for his sixth consecutive victory in their Euro 2016 qualification campaign and a 10th match unbeaten since they returned from Brazil.

Adam Lallana, who played in all three games at the World Cup and has been an integral part of the re-build, is quietly bullish when it comes to assessing England’s recovery.

“It was a difficult time for us after the World Cup but the way Roy has got us moving forward again is great credit to him and the players,” says the Liverpool midfielder.

“I was injured for the Switzerland game in September but there was a lot of pressure on the lads before that fixture off the back of the World Cup.

“It was massive for us but we won it comfortably. We took a lot of confidence from that.

“It was a young squad in Brazil. I can only see us being better two years on if we qualify.

“Those lads will have experienced a major tournament and I think we’d be more street-wise next time.

“If you look at the matches against Italy and Uruguay, we didn’t play badly yet we lost them both.

“We’ve got to learn from that. We can’t go to another major tournament and play OK but not get the results.

“We need to be the ones turning those draws into wins.

“At the end of the day, it’s about winning. How you get that winning formula doesn’t really matter. We have to find a way of winning the important games.”

Lallana joined Liverpool from Southampton when he returned from the World Cup but confesses that his first campaign at Anfield has been difficult.

“It’s been frustrating with injuries,” he says. “Especially as the season before I was available for every game.

“I got injured in pre-season. It was stop-start after that. Every time I felt I was picking up rhythm, I got another knock and was out again.

“I have a lot more to give next season and can’t wait to get going again.

“I’m 27. I’m not young any more. Maybe people think I am because I played the early years at a lower level and only came into the Premier League at 24.

“I found Liverpool is a bigger team with bigger expectations. The demands and the standards are higher.

“I’m looking to kick on. I can only see myself getting better with the more games I play.”

It’s already been a traumatic summer for the club, with Steven Gerrard’s departure, a backroom shake-up that’s seen assistant boss Colin Pascoe and coach Mike Marsh leave, and Manchester City lodging a bid for Raheem Sterling.

But manager Brendan Rodgers has survived and Lallana is encouraged by the arrival of England team-mate James Milner and Under-21 star Danny Ings.

“I’m delighted Brendan is still there,” he says. “In my eyes there wasn’t really any doubt.

“He’s a great coach. He’s very good tactically and players are always going to get better when he is coaching.

“I worked well with the coaches but it’s out of the players’ hands and we just have to get on with it.

“Raheem is a top, top lad. For me, people talk too much about him. He’s really down-to-earth and I just hope he stays at Liverpool because he’s a fantastic player and a good friend.

“People have the wrong impression of him. He plays with a smile on his face. In training you hope he’s on your team, otherwise he’ll run rings around you.

“I do have sympathy for him. He just wants to get on with his football.

“Steven is irreplaceable because of the type of player he has been.

“You won’t want anyone to have the weight on their shoulders that they are coming in directly to replace Steven. That’s just impossible.

“I’m sure it will be strange for the fans to watch their team without Steven being involved but it’s the reality and we’ve got to just move on.

“I’m delighted with both signings, especially ‘Milly’. He’s won the Premier League twice and has more than 50 caps.

“Danny has had a great season at Burnley and is a great prospect. He’s still young, works hard and has got an eye for goal.

“Both are great pieces of business.”