Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has likened Raheem Sterling to Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.
Rodgers has been impressed by the progress made by 19-year-old Sterling, who has carried on the impressive performances of the previous campaign into Liverpool's pre-season games.
"Something we said to Raheem when he first broke into the team and we've reiterated is that you have to have an identity as a player," Rodgers told liverpoolfc.com.
"His identity is he has to score goals and create goals. That's what the job is. He scored 10 goals last year and this kid is only going to get better.
"When you look at the finish against Manchester City in New York, how many times have we seen [Lionel] Messi produce a touch like that, taking it through bodies when it's so tight in the box?
"The great thing with watching him now is that he gets you off your seat. When he gets the ball you think 'Something could happen here'.
"He's taking it all in his stride and now he's in a good place with every part of his game.
"It's just about maintaining that commitment to his work. He's still only 19, but in big games he's performed and he's a wonderful talent."
