Rodgers: This team will grow

Stats have confirmed that after six top-flight games, the average age of the Reds' team selections is 23.38 - pipping Arsenal's figure of 23.73.

And while aware there is still much hard work in store for Liverpool's young guns, Rodgers is pleased with the progress they've made so far.

He told reporters at Anfield: "I see it as a team - and a team that will grow. It's been great to see the young players come through.

"There's a good balance and mix to the team at the moment. We've got some outstanding senior players and it's always exciting when you see young players come through.

"The young guys that have come in have done very well, but they've got a lot of hard work ahead and hopefully they'll continue to work, keep their concentration and focus, and it will be great to see them develop."

The likes of Raheem Sterling, Suso and Andre Wisdom have shone in recent matches for Liverpool - and journalists asked Rodgers if he was contemplating new contracts for his starlets.

"It's something we'll look at," replied the manager. "I always believe you have to earn it, but there's no doubt they've done well. It's something we'll look at between now and the next few months.

"There have been discussions with the club and with representatives, but it's at an early stage."

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Sterling in particular has caught the eye, with the 17-year-old's performances earning him an England call-up last month.

The winger has continued to flourish, leading some newspapers to speculate he could return to the Three Lions squad in the near future, having been called up by the U21s today.

However, just like with all of the club's talented youngsters, Rodgers is eager to err on the side of caution with Sterling's development.

He said: "Raheem has been brilliant. He's a real good kid who has really stepped into the team and done exceptionally well. In terms of does he deserve a place [in the England squad], then of course. His performance level has been outstanding.

"Thankfully, England have got a manager who's got many, many years of experience and a wonderful group of players so if he ever did get called up, he'd be looked after.

"I just think with young players, we've seen it so many times in this country that top talents at 17 or 18 they get so much too young or pressure forced onto them and by the time they get to 21 or 22, everyone has forgotten about them.

"Roy [Hodgson] is a very experienced manager I am sure when he feels the time is right for Raheem to come in and make an impact, he'll do that."

He continued: "Young players just need time to develop. In this country in particular, we see a talent and always think we have to push him up and keep pushing him up.

"We want to ensure the talents are not just talents at 17, but also at 27 and, if they're managed correctly, then maybe they can go on to 37.

"Raheem is a level-headed kid and has good support around him. He's taking everything in his stride at the moment. He's still got a lot to do and a lot to learn, but thankfully he's got good focus and concentration.

"I'm not one to stop a kid's dream. All football players grow up and want to play for a top club and their national team. If they earn the right to do that then great. I just think it's important development of the player is taken into the equation as well and it is paced along the way.

"At this moment in time, Raheem he's made a terrific start to his career and we want to keep it this way and keep his development moving in the right direction."

Rodgers is likely to pitch his young stars into action once again on Thursday night when Liverpool resume Europa League duties against Udinese at Anfield.

The Reds go into the game on the back of a two-match winning run - and the boss wants that streak to continue heading into next week's international break.

Rodgers: "The team has been improving. We haven't always picked up the results the performances have deserved. The objective now is the game tomorrow night - that is our only focus.

"We want to build momentum and a winning streak. The only way you do that is game by game, so the focus is on tomorrow night. We'll then re-group and get our concentration for the weekend.

"There is no doubt the level at the team at Norwich was absolutely phenomenal. We're getting towards the levels we like to see in terms of our game and identity. We made 730-odd passes in the game and had a big majority of possession - 67 per cent I think it was. But equally, if not more, importantly our pressure in the game was very, very good.

"The level of our game and performance level is a big, big credit to the players. It shows you how hard they're working on the training field and then having the confidence to take that into games. Thankfully, they got their rewards in the league [against Norwich]."

The clash with Udinese is the first of four consecutive home games for Liverpool, with Stoke City, Reading and Anzhi Makhachkala all set to visit Anfield this month.

Indeed, the Reds' only away game is a trip across Stanley Park to face Everton on October 28.

Rodgers said: "I love being at Anfield. There is a real excitement and every time we've played here, we've been given incredible support. We went to West Brom last week and had over 6,000 supporters there. We went to Norwich and the away end was packed out with incredible support.

"But there's nothing like playing at home and October was always going to be a great month for us in terms of not so much travel and giving us a real opportunity to play in front of our fans and show that development we're making as a team."

While Liverpool beat Young Boys 5-3 in their first Europa League Group A tie, Udinese were held to a 1-1 draw by Anzhi.

Rodgers, however, is well aware of their threat.

He said: "We've obviously prepared and analysed the opponent in detail. We understand their strengths and areas which maybe we can exploit.

"For us, I always look at our own team and how we can hurt the opponent - whilst always respecting the opponent. It will be a difficult game, but our focus will be very much on our ability to control and dominate the ball.

"They are a dangerous team and we have to close the spaces behind the ball."

One man in particular to watch out for is Antonio Di Natale - the 34-year-old striker who has plundered goals for fun over the course of his career.

"He's a talent, for sure - look at his goalscoring record," said Rodgers. "He's 34 years of age but he's a wonderful talent. He's a real clever player, he's bright and he scores goals.

"He's a player we'll have to pay attention to. I'm aware he hasn't played in the last few games, but I'm sure that's now been resolved and he'll be playing. I'm sure every player wants to play at Anfield, so he will be a threat and someone we will need to control."