Steven Gerrard believes that youngster Raheem Sterling has everything he needs to become a great at the club.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes that youngster Raheem Sterling has everything he needs to become a great at the club.

Raheem Sterling scores for Liverpool against Reading

Sterling, 17, who has become a first-team regular this season, scored his first senior goal as Reading were beaten 1-0 at Anfield on Saturday.

It was the latest step in the remarkable rise of the teenager, who has become one of the most exciting prospects in English football since making his debut for Liverpool in March.

He is also making rapid strides at international level. Having started the season in the England Under-19 set-up, Sterling made his Under-21 debut less than two weeks ago, and is in the frame to win his first full cap in a friendly against Sweden next month.

Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for Luis Suarez despite the striker's failure to convert one of his myriad chances against Reading.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for Luis Suarez despite the striker's failure to convert one of his myriad chances against Reading.

Luis Suarez was guilty of missing a glut of chances against Reading

Suarez, 25, provided the assist for Raheem Sterling's winning goal in the 1-0 victory at Anfield but was guilty of missing several opportunities, with nine of his ten attempts on goal not even hitting the target.

However, Rodgers refused to criticise his forward, insisting that there is nothing wrong with Suarez's strike rate.

"He's not perfect but he has got a great return if you look at his stats, when he was at Ajax and since he has come into here," Rodgers said.

Suso has committed his future to Liverpool after signing a new long-term contract.

Suso has committed his future to Liverpool after signing a new long-term contract.

Suso Santana (l) is mobbed by his team mates after scoring for Hearts

The Spaniard, 18, moved to Anfield in 2010 from hometown club Cadiz and has impressed this season after being promoted to the first-team squad by Brendan Rodgers.

After signing the contract, Suso told the club's official site: "I am really happy. Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world and this is the right place for me.

"I am happy Brendan has shown trust in me. I had no questions about signing a new deal and I am really glad to have done so.

Brendan Rodgers insists the club can qualify for next season's Champions League

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists the club can qualify for next season's Champions League if they cut out their defensive mistakes.

Brendan Rodgers is confident in his side's ability

Rodgers accused his players of losing concentration and becoming lazy after the 3-2 defeat at home to Udinese in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Reds have also suffered a stuttering start to their Premier League campaign, sitting 14th with just one win after six games.

However, despite their setbacks, the former Swansea boss has echoed captain Steven Gerrard's claims that they can finish in the Premier League's top four this season.

Tony Pulis believes his Stoke City side are in for another stern examination at Liverpool on Sunday

Tony Pulis believes his Stoke City side are in for another stern examination at Liverpool on Sunday, despite the Reds' Europa League defeat on Thursday.

Tony Pulis takes Stoke to Liverpool

The Potters manager watched the game against Udinese and will return to Merseyside with a squad containing Liverpool old boys Michael Owen, Peter Crouch and Charlie Adam.

He said: "I thought they were very unfortunate last night. They were in complete control and played really well. But scoring just after half-time gave Udinese a real lift.

"We have a job to do in a difficult game. Liverpool have top, top players. We will show the people of that great football club total respect.

Daniel Agger has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool.

Daniel Agger has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool.

Daniel Agger says he never entertained thoughts of a move away from Liverpool

Agger, 27, had been linked with a move away from Anfield in the summer but has now committed his future to the club he joined from Brondby in 2006.

He told the club's official website: "It means everything to me. This is where I want to be and I'm happy the club want me. I am really happy right now. I've never wanted to go anywhere else. I feel I am a part of this club - and I want to be a part of this club in the future.

Geoff Cameron hopes to upset mates back home this weekend by helping Stoke win at Anfield

Geoff Cameron hopes to upset mates back home this weekend by helping Stoke win at Anfield for the first time in over half a century.


United States international Cameron is from Massachusetts and has friends in Boston, the home of the Fenway Sports Group, owners of both Liverpool and the Boston Red Sox baseball team.

The 27-year-old has seen interest in Liverpool grow in his native country because of the John W Henry connection but will be aiming to cause disappoint in New England when the teams meet on Sunday.

"Most of the Liverpool games are shown in Boston these days, so I am sure a bunch of my buddies will be watching," he said. "Being from Boston, I have some affiliation with them but I don't care about that. My focus is here."

The football fan who sent an abusive Twitter message to Premier League

The football fan who sent an abusive Twitter message to Premier League referee and cancer survivor Mark Halsey following last weekend's Liverpool v Manchester United game has been cautioned by police.

Mark Halsey sent off Jonjo Shelvey last Sunday

Liverpool supporter John Wareing, a 27-year-old man from the north-east, tweeted: "I hope Mark Halsey gets cancer again and dies", after the official sent off Reds midfielder Jonjo Shevley and handed United a late penalty that gave Sir Alex Ferguson's side a 2-1 win at Anfield.

Commenting on the incident, DS Tony Lunt of Greater Manchester police said: "Clearly the victim and his family were very distressed by the extremely offensive comments posted on Twitter. We take all reports of abuse on social networking sites very seriously as these remarks can and do have a devastating impact on people's lives.

Liverpool veteran Jamie Carragher has told the club's young players

Liverpool veteran Jamie Carragher has told the club's young players to keep pushing in order to ensure their make the most of their potential.

Carragher, 34, captained a youthful Liverpool side to a 2-1 victory at West Brom in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday night and the centre-back believes that the hopefuls on the fringes of Brendan Rodgers' first-team squad have the potential to carve out successful careers if they put in the work.

Rodgers fielded three teenagers in the starting line-up at the Hawthorns - defenders Andre Wisdom and Jack Robinson, plus German forward Samed Yesil - with four more on the bench.

Spain Under-19 international Suso came on later in the game, as did schoolboy Jerome Sinclair, the youngest player in the club's history at 16 years and six days.

In addition, Rodgers had former youth-team captain Conor Coady and Cameroon-born defender Stephen Sama among his unused substitutes.

Luis Suarez believes Liverpool's performances will start bringing Premier League

Luis Suarez believes Liverpool's performances will start bringing Premier League victories once they get a change of luck.

Luis Suarez has gained a reputation for simulation

Brendan Rodgers' side are in the bottom three after picking up only two points from their first five league matches. But Suarez is adamant that a lack of fortune has held Liverpool back this season.

The Uruguayan forward has seen two decent penalty appeals rejected in the club's last two league games, collecting a yellow card for diving at Sunderland when John O'Shea appeared to catch him, then getting nothing for Jonny Evans' challenge in last Sunday's home defeat by Manchester United.

Brendan Rodgers has highlighted Jamie Carragher's importance in developing the club's young potential,

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has highlighted Jamie Carragher's importance in developing the club's young potential, as he prepares the Anfield stalwart for a coaching role while underlining his continued contribution on the pitch.

Jamie Carragher: Into his 17th season with Liverpool

Carragher, no longer a first-team regular but still an integral part of Rodgers' plans in the defender's 17th season with Liverpool, has a key function in the nurturing of the new batch of talent coming through according to Rodgers.

The former England international's ability to lead on the pitch combined with his manner off it is an invaluable asset to Rodgers, who is handing Carragher the captain's armband for the Capital One Cup tie against West Brom on Wednesday evening as he utilises the 34-year-old's leadership qualities on the pitch.

Brad Jones is aiming to make the most of a fresh start under Brendan Rodgers by kick-starting his Liverpool career

Brad Jones is aiming to make the most of a fresh start under Brendan Rodgers by kick-starting his Liverpool career.

Brad Jones is now second choice

The goalkeeper has made six senior appearances for the club since arriving from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2010. But Rodgers has indicated he is prepared to give Jones a chance in both the Europa League and the Capital One Cup this season.

The Australian has played in two of Liverpool's five European games this season, and is set for a League Cup run-out at West Brom on Wednesday night. Pepe Reina remains Liverpool's first choice keeper, but Jones has risen from third to second in the pecking order while Alexander Doni has been on leave in Brazil.

Liverpool conditioning coach Darren Burgess is returning to his native Australia

Liverpool conditioning coach Darren Burgess is returning to his native Australia as Liverpool's backroom shake-up continues.

Brendan Rodgers is making changes at Liverpool

Burgess, who was brought to Anfield after working with Australia at the 2010 World Cup, is the third senior member of the club's medical team to leave this year.

Peter Brukner, Liverpool's head of sports science, went in April, while physio manager Phil Coles is also moving on as he prepares to join Australia rugby league club Newcastle Knights in November.

Nuri Sahin has vowed to win a regular place in Liverpool's midfield and boost his chances

Nuri Sahin has vowed to win a regular place in Liverpool's midfield and boost his chances of getting back into the Turkey starting line-up.

Nuri Sahin: Has started two games for Liverpool

Sahin, 24, has made two starts for Brendan Rodgers' side since arriving on a season's loan from Real Madrid.

The midfielder is looking to rebuild his career at Anfield after a knee injury interrupted his progress in Spain last season.

The midfielder, who won the Bundesliga title with Borussia Dortmund two seasons ago before moving to Madrid, has fallen down the pecking order with his national team.

Steven Gerrard believes Luis Suarez is being victimised by referees when

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes Luis Suarez is being victimised by referees when the striker is seen going down in the penalty area.

Luis Suarez has gained a reputation for simulation

Suarez, 25, has gained a reputation for simulation since joining Liverpool from Ajax for £23 million in January 2011, and Gerrard feels that stigma is now counting against his team-mate.

The Uruguay international saw appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Mark Halsey after he went down under a challenge from Jonny Evans in the Reds' 2-1 loss to Manchester United on Sunday.

Shane Long has warned his West Bromwich Albion team-mates to beware a Liverpool

Shane Long has warned his West Bromwich Albion team-mates to beware a Liverpool backlash when the clubs meet on Wednesday for the second time this season.

Shane Long is hoping to be in the starting line-up for the Liverpool clash

Republic of Ireland striker Long won two penalties - and missed one of them - when the Baggies won 3-0 at The Hawthorns on the opening day of 2012-13.

The sides' fortunes have continued to move in sharply contrasting directions since, with Albion collecting ten points from five Premier League games and Liverpool in the bottom three following their worst start for over a century.

Martin Kelly does not expect to play again this year after twisting his knee against Manchester United on Sunday

Liverpool's Martin Kelly does not expect to play again this year after twisting his knee against Manchester United on Sunday, while there are also worries about Daniel Agger and Fabio Borini, who were also forced off.

Martin Kelly has emerged as a first-team regular for Liverpool this season

Scans on Monday revealed that Kelly, 22, has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture of his right knee and he will now require anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

The England international had to leave the field late in the contest, which was won 2-1 by United. His absence contributed to Liverpool finishing the game with nine men after Jonjo Shelvey's earlier red card.

Mark Halsey has received abuse on Twitter after sending off Jonjo Shelvey

Referee Mark Halsey has received abuse on Twitter after sending off Jonjo Shelvey and giving Manchester United a controversial penalty in their victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

The abuse has been condemned as "beneath contempt" by the referees' union, Prospect, which said it would provide any assistance he required.

Mark Halsey sent off Jonjo Shelvey on Sunday

Halsey, who was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2009 but returned to refereeing in March 2010 after successful treatment, showed Shelvey a red card for a challenge on Jonny Evans and awarded the late spot-kick from which Robin van Persie secured a 2-1 win.

A tweet posted from an account named @johnwareing1 read: "I hope Mark Halsey gets cancer again and dies", while another from @lfcjohn259 read: "Mark Halsey should've died of cancer."

Steven Gerrard believes that referee Mark Halsey got the major decisions wrong as Liverpool were beaten 2-1 by Manchester United

Steven Gerrard believes that referee Mark Halsey got the major decisions wrong as Liverpool were beaten 2-1 by Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

Steven Gerrard feels hard done by

Jonjo Shelvey was sent off in the first half for a challenge on Jonny Evans, and Luis Suarez had a second-half penalty appeal rejected, before United won the game with a dubious Robin van Persie spot kick.

Defeat has left Liverpool in the bottom three with just two points from five games, but fans chanted their support for manager Brendan Rodgers towards the end.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers complained referee Mark Halsey cost his side the game

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers complained referee Mark Halsey cost his side the game after their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

Jonjo Shelvey gets his marching orders for a two-footed tackle

• Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United

The Liverpool manager was unhappy with Halsey's decision to dismiss Jonjo Shelvey as well as the award of the penalty that Robin van Persie converted in the 81st minute, saying Luis Suarez should also have been given a spot kick.

And Rodgers felt both sides could have been down to ten men before half-time when Jonny Evans escaped unpunished from the challenge that resulted in Shelvey's departure.

Liverpool Match of the day: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United at Anfield BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE 23/9/2012 19:30

Liverpool Match of the day: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United
At: Anfield
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE: 23/9/2012 19:30

Robin van Persie's late penalty secured Manchester United's first Anfield win since December 2007 against 10-man Liverpool on an emotional afternoon on Merseyside.

The hosts played 51 minutes with 10 men after Jonjo Shelvey's sending-off but still managed to take the lead through Steven Gerrard's volley seconds after the interval.

However, Rafael equalised soon after and Van Persie, one of three United players to miss from the spot this term, scored his fourth goal in as many games against the Reds - although three of those had come for former side Arsenal - nine minutes from time.

Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United

In the end it was something of a relief the talking points were all generated on the pitch as Liverpool marked their first home match since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report which exonerated fans in relation to the 1989 disaster.

Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra shook hands in a show of unity before the game - the Liverpool forward had refused to shake the United defender's hand in the league meeting between the sides at Old Trafford in February, having previously been found guilty of racially abusing Evra in the corresponding fixture at Anfield last season.

Jose Mourinho has delivered a damning indictment of Liverpool's current predicament

Jose Mourinho has delivered a damning indictment of Liverpool's current predicament under new boss Brendan Rodgers, insisting the 39-year-old cannot win the Premier League while he remains at Anfield.

Brendan Rodgers: Much is expected

Mourinho is a big fan of Rodgers, having worked with the Northern Irishman during his time at Chelsea. The Real Madrid boss rates him as a coach and as a person, but he fears for his future at Liverpool.

The Reds are yet to win a league game under Rodgers this season ahead of Sunday's encounter with Manchester United. And Rodgers has already been introduced to the financial shortcomings of the club after he released Andy Carroll on loan, only to see no new face arrive as replacement on transfer deadline day.

John Aldridge has called for 'supporters' who taunt vile chants from the stands

Liverpool legend John Aldridge has called for 'supporters' who taunt vile chants from the stands to be identified and banned from football for good.

Trevor Hicks lost two daughters to the Hillsborough disaster

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson led the calls for the hostilities that have long existed between his club and Liverpool to come to an end ahead of Sunday's clash at Anfield, when the innocent victims on the Hillsborough tragedy were to be remembered.

Yet Aldridge believes the truce between the two rivals should not be a temporary case fire, as he is calling on the game's authorities to use the mood of reconciliation as a force for permanent good.

Steven Gerrard has urged Luis Suarez to lead the way ahead of Sunday's

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has urged Luis Suarez to lead the way ahead of Sunday's clash between Liverpool and Manchester United and shake hands with Patrice Evra.

Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra: The infamous non-handshake

Liverpool play their first home match since publication of the report of the Hillsborough Independent Panel - which absolved the club's supporters of any responsibility for the 1989 disaster - against their bitter rivals and there have been pleas all week for both sets of fans to respect each other.

However, with an already emotional afternoon set, it could ignite early as Suarez and Evra will be in spotlight for the pre-match handshakes. The Uruguayan refused to shake Evra's hand when the teams played at Old Trafford in February after he had been found guilty last December by an independent regulatory commission of racially abusing the Frenchman and given an eight-game ban.

Sir Alex Ferguson is hopeful that his Liverpool counterpart Brendan Rodgers

Sir Alex Ferguson is hopeful that his Liverpool counterpart Brendan Rodgers is afforded time at Anfield, but accepts that in modern football patience is uncommon.

Brendan Rodgers and Sir Alex Ferguson will meet on Sunday

Rodgers, 39, has already come under pressure after failing to win his opening four Premier League matches in charge at Liverpool, after being appointed as their boss in the summer.

In contrast, Ferguson, who will face the Northern Irishman when Manchester United travel to the Reds on Sunday, has been in charge at Old Trafford for over 25 years.

Steven Gerrard has urged Liverpool to follow the Everton blueprint

Steven Gerrard has urged Liverpool to follow the Everton blueprint to beat Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

Marouane Fellaini heads home the winner for Everton against Man Utd

United's last visit to Merseyside, on August 20, ended in a 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park. And Sir Alex Ferguson's side struggled to cope with Everton's high-tempo performance, urged on by a raucous home crowd.

Gerrard wants Liverpool to earn a first Premier League win of the season by following that template, on what will be an emotionally-charged afternoon.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is to issue a personal plea to fans travelling to Anfield

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is to issue a personal plea to fans travelling to Anfield for this weekend's Premier League game with Liverpool to "stand with our great neighbours" as they pay tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster.

Sir Alex Ferguson has called on United fans to 'stand with our great neighbours'

Liverpool are playing their first match at Anfield since the Hillsborough Independent Panel cleared the club's fans of any role in the deaths of 96 fans during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final.

And while the two most successful teams in British football have a longstanding and often bitter rivalry, Ferguson has called on United fans to respect the tributes set to take place prior to kick-off.

Brendan Rodgers is confident Luis Suarez will shake hands with Manchester United

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is confident Luis Suarez will shake hands with Manchester United defender Patrice Evra ahead of Sunday's emotionally charged match at Anfield.

Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra: The infamous non-handshake

Suarez was handed an eight-match ban by the FA after being found guilty of racially abusing the France international at Anfield last season, and refused to shake Evra's hand when the teams met at Old Trafford on his return.

Sunday's game is Liverpool's first at Anfield since the findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel cleared the club's supporters of any role in the deaths of 96 fans during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final, with both sides set to pay tribute to the dead and their families prior to kick-off.

Sir Alex Ferguson has urged Liverpool to give Brendan Rodgers the time he needs to succeed at Anfield.

Sir Alex Ferguson has urged Liverpool to give Brendan Rodgers the time he needs to succeed at Anfield.

Sir Alex Ferguson: 'It's a results business'

Rodgers has yet to win a league game as, for the first time in 101 years, Liverpool have not been victorious in any of their opening four league fixtures.

Ferguson took three and a half years to win his first trophy at Old Trafford following his appointment in 1986. His first league title did not come until his seventh season at United, and the 70-year-old believes the climate in football has changed during his time at the club.