Raheem Sterling: Liverpool youngster warned to focus by Brendan Rodgers

The 18-year-old made a big impression at the start of last season but his progress has since been hampered by some well publicised off-field issues.

Rodgers has now called on the winger to get things right off the pitch and fulfil his potential at Anfield.

"He needs to have a clear mind in everything in his life," said Rodgers. "We mustn't forget he is 18.

"We have 18 and 17-year-olds on the bench at the moment. He needs to stabilise his life.

"He needs to understand the remarkable opportunity he has at one of the biggest clubs in the world and focus everything on his career.

"Once he does that and he is clear in his mind, once he has got no distractions, we can get to the level of performance of the first four to five months of last year.

"He is a good boy and had lots going on last year when he was put in the spotlight and he did well, but now it's about him focusing on his football."