TEAMS: Sterling beats Lallana to England XI spot, Balotelli starts but no Buffon for Italy
ROY HODGSON has named Liverpool's Raheem Sterling over Southampton ace Adam Lallana as England take on Italy in their World Cup opener in Manaus.
Sterling has been handed his third England start, which contains five Liverpool players in total.
Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney start alongside Sterling in a three-pronged forward line behind main striker Daniel Sturridge.
Naming such a fast front four is a bold move by England manager Hodgson - a manager often criticised for being too conservative.
The Three Lions were handed a massive boost before kick-off when Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon was ruled out with an ankle injury.
England: Hart, Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines, Gerrard, Henderson, Welbeck, Sterling, Rooney, Sturridge
Italy: Sirigu, Chiellini, Paletta, Barzagli, Darmian, De Rossi, Pirlo, Veratti, Candreva, Marchisio, Balotelli