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Liverpool FC defender Kolo Toure has hailed the “amazing” form of Raheem Sterling as he set his sights on FA Cup glory this season.

The Ivorian centre-back believes defenders face a forlorn battle trying to contain the young Liverpool winger who has firmly re-established himself in Brendan Rodgers’ side.

Sunday’s 2-0 win over Oldham was the 19-year-old’s ninth successive start and he played a pivotal role in helping book the Reds’ passage to the fourth round.

“For me at the moment Raheem is one of the best players in our team,” Toure told the ECHO.

“I play against him every day in training and every time I go up against him it’s always tough.

“He can beat any player in this league with his pace and skill. He’s very strong and compact.

“He works so hard for the team and this boy certainly has a very bright future.”

Sterling was dogged by injuries and a loss of form in 2013 but over the past month he has got back to the heights he hit when he initially made his breakthrough in the early stages of last season.

“He’s playing more games now and when you play a number of games in a row you get a lot of confidence,” Toure added.

“For a young player like that to be playing at that level is amazing.

“Raheem always puts the effort into his training and always gives 100% in every game. You can see the impact he’s having on games which is very important for us.”

The decline of the FA Cup’s standing has once again been brought into focus by the sight of so many Premier League clubs fielding weakened teams in the third round.Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert described the competition as a hindrance prior to his side’s exit at the hands of Sheffield United.

However, Toure is adamant the Cup still matters.

The 32-year-old was an unused substitute when Arsenal lifted the trophy in 2003 and he played in their 2005 final triumph over Manchester United.

He was at Manchester City when they won the competition in 2011 and he would dearly love to experience another showpiece final.

“I am passionate about the FA Cup,” he said.

“It is historic. I have won it three times and it’s a great competition to play in.

“I love the FA Cup. We want to try to win it and we are really happy to still be in it.

“It’s really important for us to do well in it. To play in the final again would be amazing.”

The Reds’ priority is securing Champions League qualification this term but Toure doesn’t believe an extended Cup run would have an adverse effect on their league campaign.

“The players here are very hungry and want to play games. I think the squad is strong enough to cope,” he added.

“At training everyone is working really hard – young players and the more experienced players.

“We all want to play and do our best. I don’t think having a good Cup run would be a problem for the league.

“It can be tough if you are in Europe and you have to play a game every few days. But we haven’t had too many games.

“To have the FA Cup is really important and we’ll give it 100% as we all want to do well in it.”

Sterling vows to repay manager's faith

Raheem Sterling has vowed to keep repaying the faith shown in him by Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.

The 19-year-old winger continued his Anfield revival with another impressive display in Sunday’s victory over Oldham.

“I am enjoying it,” he said.

“The manager has put trust in me and is putting me out every week.

“Hopefully I can keep delivering on the pitch and get more goals and assists for the team.”

After a poor first-half display by the Reds, Sterling helped them raise the bar after the break. He created the opening goal for Iago Aspas and then his shot was deflected in off defender James Tarkowski.

“At half-time the manager told us to get the mentality right because we knew what defeated us last time (against Oldham),” Sterling added.

“His message was that we needed to move the ball a lot faster and get them chasing the ball. That's what we did second half and we got the two goals.

“Stevie (Gerrard) gave me the ball and I knew I had to take the guy on. I got half a yard on him and crossed it in. It was a great finish by Aspas.

“The ball was behind him a bit but he found the bottom corner. Hopefully that goal will give him a massive boost.”