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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson remain positive and claim that first win is coming Liverpool's players felt their point at Sunderland

Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson remain positive and claim that first win is coming

Liverpool's players felt their point at Sunderland was the least they deserved for their efforts.
• Sunderland 1-1 Liverpool
The Reds remain without a win this season following Saturday's 1-1 draw, with Luis Suarez cancelling out Steven Fletcher's opener. A first three points under new boss Brendan Rodgers continues to elude them, but Glen Johnson feels a win would have been deserved.
"We kept pushing for that second goal,'' he told ESPN. "Their goal was a disappointing goal to concede but the lads dug in and fought hard.
"We tried hard, we came out in the second half and got better. We never stopped working hard. We have played well in the majority of our games this season.''
Johnson's thoughts were shared by captain Steven Gerrard.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has told Steven Gerrard he must leave Liverpool

Sven-Goran Eriksson has told Steven Gerrard he must leave Liverpool if he wants to win the Premier League.

Steven Gerrard has yet to win a league title

Gerrard, who was a key player for Eriksson during his time in charge of the English national side, has spent his entire club career at Anfield.

The midfielder has enjoyed success in cup competitions, most memorably captaining Liverpool to the Champions League title in 2005, but he has never won the Premier League, with the club's last championship coming in 1990.

Jose Enrique will miss Liverpool's Europa League play-off first leg trip to Hearts as manager Brendan Rodgers prepares to field a much-changed side.

Jose Enrique will miss Liverpool's Europa League play-off first leg trip to Hearts as manager Brendan Rodgers prepares to field a much-changed side.


Enrique was unavailable for last Saturday's 3-0 Premier League defeat at West Brom due to a knee injury, which he picked up in training.

The left-back will continue to receive treatment as the club's Melwood training base in the hope that he will be fit to face Manchester City on Sunday.

Captain Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Glen Johnson and Martin Skrtel are also set to sit out the game as Rodgers rests a number of key players.

Steven Gerrard wants fans and players to keep calm despite their opening day defeat at West Brom.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard wants fans and players to keep calm despite their opening day defeat at West Brom.

PA PhotosSteven Gerrard: Forward thinking

The Reds had Daniel Agger dismissed as he pulled down Shane Long when through goal, but Gerrard wants to look to the next game.

"The feeling after was one of total shock with the result. It was never a 3-0 game,'' said the England international.

"I fancied us to go there, dominate and win but things didn't work out thatway. In football you can be left feeling hard done by. It's not the start we wanted but it's no time for panic. It's only the first game and it was one bad day at the office. We've got to look at the bigger picture. There's been so much hope around the place and rightly so.''

Steven Gerrard has vowed to carry on operating as an attacking midfielder for Liverpool this season.

Steven Gerrard has vowed to carry on operating as an attacking midfielder for Liverpool this season.

Gerrard, 32, worked well in a more defensive role for England during Euro 2012 but insists he still has the energy and power to drive forward and dismissed any notion that he should consider dropping back in the manner of Paul Scholes at Manchester United.

Instead, he wants to continue making the attacking runs from midfield that have been a key part of his game - and Liverpool's - since he broke into the team in 1998 and said he was ready to do that for new boss Brendan Rodgers when Liverpool start their Premier League season at West Brom on Saturday.

Keegan: Style of football key to Rodgers success

Liverpool legend says it could be another season of re-building for the Anfield club.

"The manager has spoken to me about what role he sees me filling and I still think he sees me as an attacking midfielder," Gerrard told the Liverpool Echo.

"As we work through the ages, maybe 33 or 34, then maybe I might be dropping a bit deeper, but I don't think anything is going to change in my game this season.

Steven Gerrard: Kids must prove themselves

Gerrard: Kids must prove themselves

Steven Gerrard has urged Liverpool's youngsters that they can't afford to be patient and must prove themselves worthy of a place in the first-team.

GettyImagesSteven Gerrard insists training is where impressions are made

The likes of Raheem Superior, Jonjo Shelvey and Man Moneyman hit impressed patch on the gild's pre-season tour and gift be hoping that new Reds trainer Brendan Composer gives them a measure in the Premier Conference.

Notwithstanding, Gerrard believes that the close breeding of Metropolis stars should not be waiting for their measure, kinda gift Composer no additional choice than to pluck them nevertheless old they are.

Gerrard looks forward to new era

Gerrard looks forward to new era

Steven Gerrard hailed an "exciting new era" for Liverpool under the management of Brendan Rodgers and said he was looking forward to the season ahead.

GettyImagesSteven Gerrard hopes for a Liverpool improvement

The Anfield captain was part of a side that disappointed - despite heavy spending on a number of new players - under the management of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish last season.

Although Liverpool won the Carling Cup and reached the FA Cup final, they could only finish eighth in the Premier League - but Gerrard believes there is plenty of room for improvement under Rodgers, who joined the club from Swansea after Dalglish was dismissed.

"It's an exciting new era for the players," Gerrard said. "We've been looking in from our holidays and hearing what the manager has been saying, what his vision is and what his targets are.

"All we can do is give him our full support and work as hard as we can to make his job easier.

Sterling may go out on loan

Joe Cole has tipped Raheem Sterling to become a "special talent" for Liverpool this season, but boss Brendan Rodgers insists the youngster is not ready for first-team football.

PA PhotosRaheem Sterling looks set to go out on loan this season

• Rodgers: No Carroll loan
• Henry: Top four not a priority

Superlative is arguably the most breathtaking talent to grow from the Port Academy since the inductions of Michael Industrialist and Steven Gerrard at Anfield. At 17 geezerhood of age he has already tasted first-team production and is the write of difficult winger that the Reds have lacked for geezerhood.

Cole, who is only just origin to discover of Sterling's talent after disbursement a twelvemonth at City, believes the teenager could excrete a big fight this weaken, but Composer is many likely to word the player out to gain get.