Rodgers to keep Sterling on bench citing fatigue concerns

Raheem Sterling, 18, has had a remarkable season at Liverpool after making his senior team debut in March last year, taking the impressive tally to 35 caps so far this term.

His stellar performances this campaign also gave the teenager a call up to the England senior squad and earned his first full cap for country in a friendly against Sweden last November.

Despite all this, Brendan Rodgers has not given starting berth to Sterling in his line-up in the Premier League for six continuous weeks as the youngster continues his further development preferring to stay out of the limelight.

However, Rodgers believes that the winger’s form has been on down-ward spiral in recent weeks as it is his first season in Premier League which is bound to take its toll.

Rodgers said: “This is a kid we’re talking about so we have to take a wee step back.

“It is so mentally and physically draining this league. It hurts experienced professionals and this boy has just stepped up from the Academy and played first-team football and earned a contract off that. We have to nurture that and at times he’s got to have that mentality to keep learning.

“I was talking to him the other day about this, and if he didn’t kick another ball this season he’s had a good one. It’s a very physically demanding league and what you’re seeing now is more tiredness of the legs when before he could go up to people and take them on. That zip has gone and that’s down to fatigue. Was that to be expected? Yes it was.

“He will have experienced that before but not in the limelight like it is now. He’s made such an impact that everyone is looking at him now. But the job is to nurture him.

“He’s started his career at first-team level way before many get the opportunity. He’s still got lots of improvement to make in his game. Over the years we will look at his plan and development and act accordingly.”

Source: Sky Sports