England boss vows to protect Anfield starlet from burnout.
England manager Roy Hodgson has insisted to Liverpool chief Brendan Rodgers that Raheem Sterling will be protected after the two almost fell out following Daniel Sturridge’s injury, according to the Daily Star.
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The England coach says lessons have been learned about the emergence of current skipper Wayne Rooney on to the world stage as a 17-year-old.
Rooney coped well with the expectations place on him, and subsequently thrived, and Hodgson believes that Sterling will cope equally as well.
The young star has been playing a key role in Hodgson’s diamond formation recently, and the Three Lions chief revealed that he took the Wembley-born star off at half time against San Marino in order to keep him fresh for Sunday’s clash with Estonia.
“He is not alone, in that,” said Hodgson, when asked about the pressure being heaped on Sterling.
“A lot of players who have found that in the past – Rooney, for example.
“When he came we have been in the same situation. We are conscious of managing it.
“I don’t think it will need managing until Raheem shows signs of suffering from it.
“When he shows signs of not being quite as sharp, not doing as well, trying too hard, that night be the moment we think we have to manage this and give him a break.
“But that is not the case at the moment and I don’t think Liverpool need to worry.
“His first half against San Marino was a lively as he could have been.
“At half-time I said to him and Jordan Henderson ‘I am taking you two off’ and they looked a me like ‘don’t do that – we want to stay on’ and that is quite nice.”
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