Former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp has likened Raheem Sterling to Manchester City playmaker David Silva.

Redknapp was impressed with the 19-year-old's performance for England as they beat Switzerland 2-0 on Monday evening, and the ex-Reds skipper thinks that the teenager is beginning to blossom into one of the country's finest players.

He told the Daily Mail: "Raheem Sterling is England's David Silva. He doesn't manipulate the ball like the Spaniard, but he can play between the lines and he has something Silva doesn't have: destructive pace.

"He is such a weapon for England and Liverpool. He is now our best player — aged 19 — and defenders are frightened of him. The pass he delivered for the [first] goal was with his left foot and I can't see a weakness in his game.

"Credit to [Liverpool manager] Brendan Rodgers for developing him and he will get better. England have to play him through the middle. That's where the best players play. Get him on the ball and facing up to defenders."

Sterling has scored two goals for Liverpool this season.