On to a Sterling show

Rodgers to help troubled youngster find his form again

LONDON: Brendan Rodgers will turn his attentions to Raheem Sterling (pic) after watching Luis Suarez make a smooth return to action.

Liverpool boss Rodgers says his next challenge is to help troubled Sterling put off-field distractions behind him and rediscover the form that earned an England call-up last season.

The 18-year-old was hauled before the courts this month having been accused of assaulting his former girlfriend.

Magistrates swiftly cleared him after the prosecution case collapsed because of discrepancies in their evidence.

But Rodgers, who guided Suarez through a 10-match bite ban before his return against Manchester United on Wednesday, admits the court ordeal has affected the winger.

The Anfield chief said: “Raheem needs to have a clear mind in everything in his life. We mustn’t forget he is 18, but he needs to stabilise his life.

“He needs to understand the remarkable opportunity he has at one of the biggest clubs in the world and focus everything on his career.

“Once he does that and he is clear in his mind, he has no distraction and we can get to the level of performance of the first fourmonths of last year.

“He is a good boy. He had lots going on last year when he was put in the spotlight and he did well. But now it’s about him focusing on his football.”

Sterling’s only start this season came in last month’s League Cup victory over Notts County.

He went on as a substitute in Liverpool’s first four Premier League matches.

But Sterling was left out of the squad altogether for last Saturday’s home match against Southampton.

Rodgers took that decision because he felt the game came too soon after Sterling’s court appearance.

But he was again used off the bench in Wednesday’s League Cup defeat at Old Trafford.

Rodgers saidhegave Sterling all the support he could and insisted the player had no problem with beingpulled out of the limelight last weekend.

But he was satisfied Sterling had the right frame of mind to face United.

Rodgers added: “I’d spoken to him before and been with him all the way through it.

“If I felt it was not the correct thing I would not have had him involved. He was fine.” — The Sun,