Liverpool FC boss praises Sterling following his first Premier League start (From St Helens Star)

Liverpool FC boss Brendan Rogers praises Raheem Sterling following his first Premier League start

11:16am Monday 27th August 2012 in Sport

FORMER Rainhill High pupil Raheem Sterling earned praise after making his first Premier League start for Liverpool in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.

The 17-year-old winger showed his rich promise with a composed and classy performance on the left flank.

Afterwards, the Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers said: "It was an easy decision [to start him].

"I said when I first came here, I won't judge people on their status or what they've done, it's about what I see now in front of me, and he's a young player who's improved every single day since I came in here.

“He was a player who played on his own, in the one v one. You look at him now, playing for the team, his tactical understanding playing against a really experienced player.

“He was blocking the line of pass, he was pressing at the right time, he was coming back to block the lines inside.

"For a 17-year-old, playing against the champions, I thought his performance was fantastic.

"He has got a long way to go, because he has got to be consistent, and that's something I'll keep a close eye on."

Jamaican-born Sterling studied and lived in Rainhill after being signed by the Reds as a junior from QPR.

He was named the St Helens Young Sporting Performer of the Year at St Helens Cultural Awards last year.

Rogers handed Sterling a place against the champions after he impressed in his first senior start against Hearts in the Europa League last week.

Martin Kelly, who grew up in Newton-le-Willows, also started the match at right back for Liverpool.