Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has no problem playing their game through youngster Raheem Sterling.

Rodgers has every confidence he can stand up to the weight of expectation.

"He deals with it so well but it's hard to hide the talent," Rodgers said. "If you have that talent you're going to be under that scrutiny and we protect the players as much as we can.

"I've seen him develop into a wonderful young man. He's got great maturity. I think back to the boy when I arrived here when he was 17 and I see him now and the maturity that he has and how he's taken it all in his stride. Of course he's had difficult moments but as I said he's a real pleasure to work with.

"He obviously realises the harder you climb the ladder people want to criticise you more as well but that's all part of the dance. I'm delighted to work with him and hopefully we can be together for a long time."