Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has discussed his man-management of Raheem Sterling. Sterling struck the winner against Reading on Saturday.

"You could call it tough love with Raheem, but I always offer the players the carrot, because there's no-one in this world who responds to being beaten with a stick all the time," he said. "That's the case in any industry, football or whatever, but Raheem is the type who likes you to be direct.

"He likes to be told. He is a great boy, a really good kid. His mum does a great job with him, and he handles everything about the situation really well.

"At 17, he's still got an awful long way to go, so it's important I try to manage him properly. We want to have him here as a legend for many years. We don't want him getting carried away with all the adulation and then find, at 21, he's washed up and everyone wants him out.

"The biggest thing with me is just maintaining the hunger that he's got now, because you see when he's got that, and he's learning and developing, that he can be a really top player. It's a long way to go for him but, up to now, he's been a revelation.

"At the moment there are no worries about how he is responding. I talk to the players a lot about the good and the bad and just try to keep them developing.

"Right up until now, Raheem has been brilliant. He's got a lovely way about him. He's made the transition from the academy very well, and it's brilliant for the supporters, because they love to see young players come in and do so well. We will be doing our utmost to make sure that it continues."