'Why I've every faith in our young stars'

At White Hart Lane in December, during the 5-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, the likes of Raheem Sterling, Jon Flanagan, Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho flourished.

All are under the age of 23, and yet three of them netted during the Spurs demolition job. Fast forward two months and each played his part as the Reds put nine past Everton and Arsenal in the space of 11 days.

With Liverpool now facing the dual challenge of closing the gap on the Barclays Premier League leaders and pulling clear in the race for fourth, Rodgers knows every point is vital.

However, he has no qualms about asking the less experienced players in his squad to continue to lead the way, starting with a trip to relegation battlers Fulham on Wednesday.

"If you're talking about can they cope with pressure, then you only need to look at the last number of games that we've had," Rodgers told reporters gathered at Melwood.

"Against Tottenham away from home, in what was deemed to be a pressure game against a rival for the position we are trying to affect, they were brilliant.

"In the last couple of games at home, against Everton and Arsenal, we had 19-year-old Raheem Sterling playing wide. Jon Flanagan is 21, Jordan Henderson is 23 and Coutinho is 21, but it's not affecting them because they are concentrating on their performance.

"It's my job to release the pressure from them so that they can play and they can organise their work and feel free to work how we do on a daily basis. We'll just continue along that line.

"I have a great belief in the players here that I have got. And we want to build on that over the coming years. But I take great pride in making people better, both on the field and helping them off the field.

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"I look at Flanagan, and the development of him as a young player since I've been here has been absolutely outstanding. He's a young character and he's going into the games and playing under pressure and he's been outstanding.

"Then Jordon Ibe comes off the bench at the age of 18 [against Arsenal] and he's been excellent.

"People talk about the World Cup being too early for Sterling because he's only got pace. But I can tell you now, I see this boy every single day of my life and I see his technique.

"He's one of the most tactically gifted players I have worked with; how he presses the ball, how he gets up to the ball and his technique is wonderful. He's more than pace. What he has got for a young player is responsibility on the pitch."

Sterling and his youthful teammates could hold the key once more when Liverpool travel to the capital to take on the league's bottom-placed side, Fulham, at Craven Cottage on Wednesday.

Rene Meulensteen's charges are just a point behind the next team, Cardiff City, and they clinched a vital draw in their push to avoid relegation when Darren Bent struck late at Old Trafford to seal a 2-2 outcome against Manchester United.

It is hoped that recent acquisitions like Grant Holtby from Spurs, who created the opener against David Moyes' team on Sunday, will help the Cottagers secure their Premier League status for next season.

"You saw with Fulham at Old Trafford that they have some very good players," continued Rodgers. "They showed great resilience in the game.

"I know some of the players there. They are brilliant professionals. Steve Sidwell I've worked with, then there's Scott Parker and Damien Duff. They are all outstanding players with good experience.

"Rene is looking to introduce one or two young players too. We understand it will be a difficult game, because there are no easy games.

"Every match is critical for us, whether it's against the top team or the bottom team. Away from home in the Barclays Premier League it's difficult, but we have a belief and a confidence in our play and hopefully we can take that into Wednesday's game and get another three points.

"Fulham will have gained confidence from the United game. I thought they defended very, very well and scored a very good goal. When you get a result like that, then of course, it gives you confidence."

Kopites are still busy savouring the master-class in attacking football they witnessed at Anfield on Saturday, when league leaders Arsenal were thrashed 5-1.

The pressing of the Liverpool team is a facet that has been praised by pundits, players and supporters alike - and Rodgers insists such an approach will be deployed again against Fulham.

"I think we just need to continue to work how we have been," said the manager. "We always try to have an educated pressure in the game. We look to press the game and get the ball back as early as we can, but you can't do it for 90 minutes.

"A lot of our games, especially home games, have been over at half-time. That's allowed us then to press even more and bring out other aspects of the game. We understand that Fulham will be a tough game.

"So we have to have all facets of our game in order and our concentration and focus must be correct. If we do that, it gives us the opportunity to produce the type of performances we have produced this season.

"I'd expect Fulham, at home and with Rene's mentality, to come out and look to win the game because they need the win and they need the points. They'll want to play a different game and we'll look to go and continue with the great form that we've shown."