Liverpool Manager Says Reds Teenager Reminds Him Of Barcelona Superstar Lionel Messi

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Rodgers likens Sterling to the four-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Ahead of the 2014/15 season Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has said that Raheem Sterling reminds him of FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

Last term was something of a breakthrough for Sterling, who channeled his raw talent to become a lethal player in attack and is now a firm regular for both club and country.

At still only 19-years-old the England international just looks set to improve from hereon in and Rodgers has heaped praise on the youngster by likening him to four-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi.

“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 was quoted 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.”

Sterling was poached from the QPR academy back in 2010 by the Reds and progressed to their first team in the summer of 2012.

The teenager has admitted that he was nervous back then and was too much in awe of the players around him, but under the guidance of Rodgers he has helped get over that and is now one of the most exciting young stars in world football.

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