http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Steven-Gerrard-c34196, has admitted that Raheem Sterling’s surprise rise to the team has taken everyone by surprise, but praised his exceptional talent.
The English International netted a stunning goal against Reading in the Reds 1-0 win at Anfield, becoming the second youngest Liverpool player ever to score a goal.
The 17-year old came into prominence this season, after putting up a remarkable performance during the pre-season.
He has already made 12 appearances for the Merseyside club this term, notching up a goal and also picking up 2 assists during this period.
Brendan Rodgers, who is currently operating with a limited squad, has faced crisis in the frontline, ever since he took over the reins of Anfield. In order to cope with the problem, the Ulsterman has assigned the attacking duties to the Reds starlet, pairing
him up with Luis Suarez upfront.
Of what he has seen from Sterling so far, Gerrard could not help but let out his commendation for the juvenile winger.
The 32-year old heaped praise on the forward for making an impression at such a young age and also credited the manager for his gutsy decision of unravelling the youngster.
“I think we all knew he was going to be good enough to play for the first team but when they are young and small and that size, sometimes you need to take a little bit of extra care,” he told the reporters.
“They [young players] used to get a taste towards the end of the season but the manager has come in, seen what he has done in pre-season and said he is ready now.”
Sterling’s impressive rise to first-team did not go unnoticed even for the national manager, Roy Hodgson. The Three Lions chief named the player in his 24-man contingent for the World Cup Qualifiers last month.
Gerrard believes that the confidence that the winger has displayed owes much to the faith that Rodgers has vested in him.
He pointed out that the competition for a place in the team had now become ever more difficult and lauded Sterling for winning over his manager’s trust.
“You need the manager to believe in you because sometimes it is hard to play well every game,” he added.
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