You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

On this performance the Mosconi Cup will remain out of reach but for Raheem Sterling a ticket to the World Cup remains very much an achievable goal.

The Liverpool FC winger paid a visit to the Toxteth Fire Fit Hub youth centre to hand over a signed pool table on behalf of Brendan Rodgers’ squad to local youngsters.

The gift was gratefully received and after being given a tour of the impressive £5million facility, which was built thanks to funding from the Government, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service and Liverpool City Council, Sterling took to the baize.

“I’m not the best,” he admitted after being encouraged to take on a few long pots.

“This is the table we’ve been using at Melwood and it’s great to see it’s found a good home.

“When we all play Jordan Henderson and Simon Mignolet usually come out on top. I think I need more practice.

“I know from when I was growing up as a kid how important places like this are. The facilities are fantastic and it’s great to see what they’re doing for the community. They’re giving young people really good opportunities away from home and school.”

Improving his pool can wait because Sterling’s pressing concern is to force his way back into the Liverpool team.

The 18-year-old winger, who was an unused substitute against Arsenal last weekend, has made just one Premier League start so far this term with a further six cameo appearances.

It’s a far cry from a year ago when Sterling was riding the crest of a wave. After shining on his full debut against Manchester City, he went on to establish himself in Rodgers’ line-up.

A first England cap against Sweden followed last November and his form was rewarded with a lucrative new contract.

However, his fairytale run didn’t last. His confidence dipped and he slipped down the pecking order before a serious thigh injury ended his season in March.

Now he’s fully fit and waiting patiently for the opportunity to show he’s got what it takes to nail down a place at Anfield.

“One minute you are up, next minute you are down – that’s the life of a footballer,” Sterling said.

“I know I need to buckle up, train as hard as I can and keep progressing as a player. I’m still young and I know I’ve still got a lot to learn

“The manager has said to all of us not in the team at the moment that we’ve got to be on our toes. When the chance comes you have to make sure you take it.

“Obviously I’ve not played as much as I would have liked so far this season but as long as the team is winning and doing well I’m happy.

“Seeing the team do well is the most important thing and it’s been a great start to the season for us.”

Sterling’s mission is made more difficult by the fact that Rodgers is currently favouring a system with wing-backs rather than wingers.

And there is also greater competition for places than last season when a lack of depth led to a number of youngsters being fast-tracked to first-team duty.

His close friend and fellow wideman Jordon Ibe, who is expected to pen a new long-term contract when he turns 18 next month, is also pushing for a call-up.

“Jordon and I are good mates and he’s showing what a good player he is,” Sterling said.

“Hopefully he can push on as well and get some minutes on the pitch.

“In terms of playing wing-back I’m not really a defensive player but I’d play wherever the manager wants me.

“Everyone wants to play but I’m not in any rush. If I’m picked then it’s up to me to prove I deserve to be in the starting XI and that I can get back to where I was last year.”

Sterling is confident there will be no hangover from the defeat to leaders Arsenal when the third-placed Reds entertain Fulham at Anfield on Saturday.

With 20 points from their opening 10 games, the teenager believes Rodgers’ side have already shown they have the quality to compete for a Champions League spot.

“It’s certainly a better atmosphere in the squad than at this stage last season,” he said.

“We’ve been winning a lot of games and playing really well. We were really disappointed not to get anything out of the Arsenal game but we can’t afford to think about now.

“We’ve got to look to the future and everyone is focused on getting a good result against Fulham.

“We want to go into the international break on a high. If we get three points then we’ll be in a good place in the table.

“A lot of the top teams seem to be slipping up and dropping points so we have to capitalise on that. We all want to help the club get to where it wants to be which is inside the top four.”

If Sterling can recapture the heights he hit last term then the prize could be great with next summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil on the horizon.

He has yet to add to the solitary cap he picked up in Stockholm 12 months ago when he became the fifth youngest player in England history.

However, it’s clear that boss Roy Hodgson rates him highly. He was part of the squad that defeated Moldova and drew in Ukraine back in September, and was then promoted by Hodgson from Gareth Southgate’s under-21s for the crunch final qualifier against Poland at Wembley last month.

“I can’t believe it’s a year already since I made by England debut,” Sterling added.

“That time has flown by. It was a special night.

“Just being part of the last few squads has been great experience for me. For an England manager to be picking you when you’re not playing regularly for your club must mean he likes you and likes your game.

“It gives me a lot of confidence.

“Going to the World Cup would be amazing but I know to achieve that I need to get back playing for Liverpool and try to kick on from there.”