Gerrard hails Sterling impact
Steven Gerrard labelled Raheem Sterling 'sensational' after his match-winning performance against Reading on Saturday.
The 17-year-old fired his first senior goal in the 1-0 win, becoming the second youngest scorer in Liverpool history behind Michael Owen.
Sterling was given a debut by Kenny Dalglish against Wigan in March but his rise into regular first-team action has been fast-tracked by Brendan Rodgers.
Gerrard admits he has been a little surprised at how quickly the Academy graduate has made his breakthrough - but the skipper thinks Sterling has the necessary attributes to go 'all the way to the top'.
"I think Raheem has been a great surprise to everyone," Gerrard told the Echo.
"Not that he's doing so well at this level - as we always knew he was going to be good enough to play for the first team - but I don't think anyone expected him to break through so early.
"When they are young and small sometimes they get eased in towards the end of a season to give them a taste.
"But the new manager has come in, seen what he's done in pre-season and said 'Yeah, he's ready now.'
"He's given him his chance and Raheem's not let anyone down. He's been sensational so far."
Gerrard - now 32 - credits Rodgers for guiding Sterling through his first-team initiation.
"First and foremost you've got to have the trust of the manager as he picks the team," added Gerrard.
"Week in, week out he's getting a start and that's what you need. When you are breaking through you need the manager to believe in you.
"It's hard to play well every game. When you don't play well and the manager keeps playing you, he's telling you that you are ready for this level and that you are going to be here for a long time, so get out there and do your stuff.
"He did that on Saturday and he's been brilliant for us. He scored one very similar in pre-season and that goal will be great for his confidence.
"That's what will come into his game with more experience and the more belief he gets in himself.
"We all know he's exciting, that he can run at players and if he gets in one on one situations he's deadly.
"If he can add goals and assists to his game as he grows then he can go all the way to the top."
Saturday's result was the Reds' first in the league at home under Rodgers, and Gerrard felt it was fully deserved, but he knows he and his teammates must follow it up with victory over Everton next Sunday.
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"I think because we hadn't won at Anfield for such a long time we got a bit edgy and a bit nervous towards the end but we certainly deserved the three points," said Gerrard.
"We controlled the majority of the game and played really well. A second goal would have killed the game off but it never came.
"We have to build on this win now. This is only a good result if we can follow it up with another good result in the derby next weekend."
Artwork by @tashavanderful