Rodgers: Raheem has no world-class team-mates

Brendan Rodgers has defended Raheem Sterling after some criticism by attacking his squad, claiming the winger has no ‘world-class’ team-mates.

The young English winger was one of the club’s outstanding players last season, providing a third of an attacking line-up which included Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez.

Suarez has since left the club to join Barcelona, whilst Sturridge has struggle for fitness this season, leaving Sterling to adapt alongside Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert.

The youngster has failed to score in 21 games for the Merseyside club, but Rodgers has defended the winger by making an astonishing claim about his team-mates.

“He’s got a wee bit of stick over the last week or so which I find incredible because he’s been outstanding for us,” Rodgers told Sky Sports.

“Last season he was a young kid at 18/19 years of age, playing up top with some world class players, and this season he hasn’t got that, that’s the reality, but he’s kept going and the focus has been on him. He hasn’t scored the goals that people expect him to but it’s not what I expect, I expect him to create goals and score goals over the season.

“He came in and performed brilliantly for us tonight,” he added in his post-match press conference.” His best position is on the left which allows him to cut inside, but tonight he played a lot like Alexis Sanchez. Two good feet, finds space and isn’t afraid to play with his back to goal. He was outstanding.”


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