Liverpool 1 Reading 0: Rodgers heaps praise on ‘terrific’ Sterling

Liverpool 1 Reading 0: Brendan Rodgers heaps praise on Raheem Sterling after the Reds winger netted his first goal at Anfield

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By TSR staff Saturday 20 October 2012, 18:43 UK

Liverpool

Reading

Brendan Rodgers heaped praise on “terrific” Raheem Sterling after the Liverpool winger scored a first-half winner against Reading at Anfield on Saturday.

The 17-year-old raced onto Luis Suárez’s through pass and finished past Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, becoming the club’s second youngest goalscorer of all-time behind Michael Owen.

Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker came close to doubling the home side’s lead after half-time, but Rodgers’ men were forced to settle for a narrow 1-0 victory.

“It’s a part of the game we’ve been working on,” said Rodgers.

“The players on the outside, the No.7 and No.11, we’re trying to get them in the positions so they can make those runs.

“He’s got good pace, Raheem, so once he’s on the inside he can break the line of the back four.

“We’ve been doing a lot of work on that on the training field but all the credit goes to him because he’s got to identify the moment to go in.

“It was a wonderful finish because he was going away from the goal, and he’s got a quick defender tracking him.

“He’s a terrific talent and he’s got a good head on young shoulders.”

Rodgers also praised Suárez’s work ethic after the Uruguayan insisted on continuing despite suffering a dead leg from a robust challenge at the end of the first half.

“He got a dead leg just before half-time, he got kneed on his thigh,” added Rodgers.

“People judge him from the outside, and I was probably one of those as well before I came into here, but when you actually come in and you work with him.

“He’s travelled all around the world, played at altitude, got back late Thursday, trained on Friday morning and still goes out and runs and works and gives his all for the team, doesn’t want to come off.

“He’s an incredible character.”