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."