One player desperate to make his mark on Sunday is Raheem Sterling, who could clinch a 10th consecutive start if selected. The winger has been in impressive form since returning to the team in early December and Rodgers acknowledged the 19-year-old's vast improvement in recent weeks. "He's been outstanding," said the boss. "He's been brilliant and has played really well in some big games. "In other games he was very, very prominent. I think you've seen what he can give to the team when he's really focused. He's in a good moment now. He's happy and really focused on his football.
I know some people were looking at me when I stuck him at right-back early on a few times, but I think you see now, whenever he does play in that position, what he can give you, both going forward and defensively. "He's probably one of the strongest players I've ever seen. Pound for pound, he's as strong as anyone. You marry that strength and his quality and his focus, and then you've got a young player who has just turned 19, who is going to be an outstanding prospect. "I've been really pleased for him because he's a good kid. He's taken a wee bit of stick from me since I've come in here. But it's always been in the best interest of him and the club. He's a good boy, he's consistently producing."
With injury to Arsenal's Theo Walcott ruling him out for a substantial part of the remainder of the season - and potentially the FIFA 2014 World Cup finals thereafter - Rodgers agreed there could be an opening for Sterling. The Liverpool man has one international cap to his name and will be eager to play his way into contention to be chosen as part of Roy Hodgson's squad for this year's tournament in Brazil. "I'm sure the England people and staff will be looking at that," said Rodgers. "Raheem's obviously one of the outstanding talents in the U21 team. [Walcott's injury] certainly opens up a door. "But all he can do is concentrate on his Liverpool career and everything else follows that. He's played nine games now on the spin and been excellent in them, so hopefully he can continue that run of form and do his job, which is to score goals and create goals."
