The tattoo on Raheem Sterling’s arm suggests he was destined to play in the number 10 role for England, but the Liverpool star insists he is happy to start against Uruguay tonight in any position.

Sterling had no trouble transferring his domestic form on to the World Cup stage on Saturday when he starred in England’s defeat to Italy in Manaus.

Sterling was a constant threat to the Italian defence playing in the hole just behind his Liverpool team-mate Daniel Sturridge, but he could now make way for Wayne Rooney, who favours that role.

“I would be happy to play anywhere the manager puts me,” Sterling said. 

“I am a team player. I will be working for the team regardless of which position I play in. I don’t think the team was built around me necessarily. 

"I just think the manager thought that was the right position for me at the time, with my pressing and my closing down.”

Sterling never had any doubt he would be able to perform for England on the biggest stage – he has been dreaming about it ever since he started kicking a ball about with his friends in the shadow of Wembley Stadium.

Sterling grew up a short walk from the home of English football and he now has a tattoo of a boy wearing 10 playing under the famous arch.

Sterling said the tattoo symbolised the childhood dream he is now experiencing in real life.

“I grew up five minutes from the stadium,” Sterling said. “I used to ride my bike round this little car park that was by the stadium. I used to say to myself ‘one day, I’d like to play there, hopefully I could do that’ and I am really grateful to be given that opportunity.

“I know there have been some great players who have played for this country so for me to be selected in the national team was a great achievement for me.”