Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has urged Raheem Sterling to follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo.

At 19 years of age, Sterling has established himself as a key player for Liverpool and England, and Rodgers believes his career to date can be compared to that of Real Madrid star Ronaldo, who joined Manchester United from Sporting in 2003.

"You would argue that at 19 Raheem has had a similar impact," he was quoted as saying in the Liverpool Echo. "Ronaldo came to the country as an 18-year-old, and certainly in these last couple of years Raheem has made a similar impact at the beginning of his career.

"It's now about going to those next levels with the second part of his curve. The first part is coming in and establishing yourself as a young player -- it's not easy earning that respect. Now hopefully he'll move onto the levels.

"He won't have a better example than (Ronaldo) because how he lives his life as a professional and his efficiency on the field as his numbers dictate everything. He's super-efficient."