• England

Sterling has grown up, says Rodgers

ESPN staff
March 3, 2014
Raheem Sterling's only England cap came against Sweden in November 2012 © PA Photos
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Raheem Sterling has grown up and is ready to become a key figure for England in their World Cup campaign, according to his Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

In August 2012, shortly after joining the club, Sterling was shown being barracked by Rodgers during Fox documentary Being Liverpool after he had interrupted a team talk. The club were on a pre-season tour of America and Rodgers stated Sterling was "lucky" to be there before going on to question the winger's attitude.

Sterling earned his first and only cap the following November before his form waned at Liverpool.

However, Sterling has since forced his way back into the first XI at Anfield with a string of impressive displays since December 2013, and now Rodgers feels Roy Hodgson could be set to benefit in Brazil.

"I just think that a year or so down the line from his first cap, England will be seeing a player with much greater maturity and a young player who has produced in big games," Rodgers said.

"He's a kid who's just turned 19 but he's a father now, that brings maturity into your life and he's coping with that remarkably well.

"You see a young player who's getting stronger and stronger every day; a young player who, tactically, has improved his level impressively."

Sterling could be set to receive his second cap on Wednesday with Hodgson hinting he is ready to experiment with his line-up against Denmark ahead of the World Cup.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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