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Brendan Rodgers believes Raheem Sterling will be recharged and ready to spearhead Liverpool’s pursuit of glory in the second half of the season after granting him a mid-season break.

The talented Reds winger, who is close to penning a new long-term contract, was given time off following the Premier League clash with Leicester City on New Year’s Day with Rodgers wary of the dangers of over-burdening the youngster.

Sterling has played more minutes than any other top-flight outfield player this term – making 26 starts and two substitute appearances for Liverpool in all competitions.

But after jetting off to his native Jamaica he missed Monday’s FA Cup tie with AFC Wimbledon and Rodgers has decided to leave him out of the squad for Saturday's game with Sunderland.

He is not due back to Melwood until next week but will be available for selection against Aston Villa next week.

The Reds boss knows Liverpool are a stronger side with Sterling on board but he says the 20-year-old’s long-term interests have to come first.

“If you focus just purely on the here and now then of course you wouldn’t want Raheem to miss anything,” Rodgers told the ECHO.

“But he’s a young player and you have got to look after the needs of the player and ultimately the team and the club.

“It was always in the plan. If we’re going to maximise what we can get out of him then he needs that bit of recovery time.

“He has been outstanding for us in recent months. A period of rest and the recuperation will do him the world of good. It’s been a gruelling first half of the season for him with a lot of matches and a lot of work.

“This is the break I had always planned to give him. It will set him up for the rest of the season.”

Talks over a new deal are progressing well with Reds chief executive Ian Ayre having held further discussions with Sterling’s representatives in London earlier this week. No hitches are anticipated and Liverpool hope to tie up the remaining details at some stage next week.

Rodgers admits with such a hectic schedule of fixtures picking the right moment to grant Sterling a breather hasn’t been easy.

In the continued absence of Daniel Sturridge, it was the manager’s decision to play Sterling in an advanced central role which triggered an upturn in the Reds’ fortunes last month.

Only Steven Gerrard in the Liverpool squad has bettered Sterling’s six-goal haul. If Sterling doesn’t feature at the Stadium of Light then either Mario Balotelli or Fabio Borini are set to lead the line.

“It has been difficult,” Rodgers added.

“But it was always my intention that around this period we would give him a rest. It was just a case of selecting the right time to take him out. It had to be done. Raheem has shown in the most competitive league in the world he’s one of the outstanding performers in it. But he has played a lot of minutes and as a young player it’s important we look after him.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers says he has to decide whether to recall winger Jordon Ibe from Derby County this month.

The Reds teenager joined the Championship club on a season-long loan but Liverpool have the option to bring him back to Anfield in January.

The recent rise of Academy starlet Sheyi Ojo, who has been an unused substitute against both Burnley and Leicester, may influence the manager’s thinking.

“I’ve not decided on that yet,” Rodgers said.

“Jordon is doing very well at Derby. It’s something we need to assess.

“We’re also looking at someone like Sheyi Ojo. He has shown up very well in training but of course he has got limited experience.”