Thursday, 14th August, 2014
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has heaped praise on Raheem Sterling and compared the youngster’s ball-control to Barcelona great Lionel Messi.
The 19-year-old was in spectacular form last season, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists in all competitions as the Reds finished just two points behind champions Manchester City in the Premier League table.
Sterling’s impressive displays prompted England manager Roy Hodgson to include the starlet in his World Cup squad, and despite the Three Lions’ disappointing early exit, the winger showcased his talents in Brazil.
The England international continued his good form in pre-season, where he scored a great goal against Manchester City in the United States by dribbling past several players.
And Rodgers, who feels Sterling still has huge scope for development, lauded him for his Messi-esque touches.
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"Something we said to Raheem when he first broke into the team and something we've reiterated is that you have to have an identity as a player", the manager explained to his club’s official site.
"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 Messi produce a touch like that, taking it through bodies when it's so tight in the box?
"Raheem's feet were so soft and his finish was great, as was the one which was disallowed for offside just after.
"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'."
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