World Cup

Brendan Rodgers tips Raheem Sterling for World Cup call

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 24 December 2013

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers tips Raheem Sterling to make England's World Cup squad following the winger's recent goals and upturn in form.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that Raheem Sterling can force his way into England's World Cup squad if his recent resurgence continues.

The teenage winger started the season out of the Reds team after enduring a difficult few months, during which he tore his thigh muscle and had disciplinary problems, which led to him appearing in court.

However, Sterling, who made his only international appearance to date in 2012, has found his form again of late, scoring three times in his last four Premier League matches. Rodgers feels that adding goals to his game could give his youngster a chance of making the plane to Brazil.

"Raheem has got every opportunity with England," he told reporters. "He's been able to showcase his talents. He's done very well for the Under-21s when he's played.

"He has shown he is back now to that level where he is really aggressive and direct. And what Raheem is doing is scoring goals, which is important. He's still so young - he was only 19 the other week - and I'm sure there will be other dips along the way.

"He's still only learning. But I thought he was exceptional in a big game at Tottenham, so he shows he's got that ability to play at that level."

Sterling is likely to be competing with Andros Townsend, Adam Lallana and Theo Walcott to fill the wide options in Hodgson's travelling party for the tournament in South America next summer.