Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that he was reminded of Lionel Messi when watching Raheem Sterling perform in pre-season.

Rodgers is confident that the 19-year-old can continue to improve following his impressive displays last season, and he believes that the winger has shown that he can copy the example of Messi with his style of play.

"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 Northern Irishman is quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo. "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.

"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'."

Sterling 10 goals in 38 games last season.