Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers hailed the standard of young British players after the weekend's Premier League round. Rodgers handed Jordon Ibe a first derby start at Everton, while he was also impressed by Spurs pair Harry Kane and Ryan Mason for their win over Arsenal.

"You cannot say that young British players are not technically good enough and tactically good enough," he said.

"Harry Kane has been the restoration for Tottenham. It is has been Harry Kane and young Ryan Mason. Two British players who can play football, can press and have got quality.

"I would have no qualms of playing Jordon now and there is no greater pressure than a Goodison game with that intensity and he was obviously man of the match.

"I have said it throughout my life and I am a manager in the Premier League who has worked with seven year olds right through to top players, both British and European.

"I repeat the message: if coaches want to give these players the opportunity to play in a technical game and a tactical game then they can do it and at a high level.

"We have seen it here that there is real core of British players."