Steven Gerrard has stood toe-to-toe with some of the game's most formidable players over the last 15 years – but he's been giving Raheem Sterling a wide berth in training recently.

Sterling has been one of Liverpool's most impressive performers in recent months, and Gerrard insists he's also the toughest in the current squad.

The youngster has consistently shown strength that has belied his diminutive stature this season, combining pace, poise and power to devastating effect.

"I don't go near him in training because if I do, there is only one winner," admitted Gerrard. "He's the toughest in our squad.

"He just needs to keep learning and listening to Brendan Rodgers and the experienced players in the dressing room and believing in himself. If he does that, he'll be all right."

Sterling will be keen to rekindle the sort of dazzling form that saw him put Everton and Arsenal to the sword at Anfield in the space of 11 days when the Reds host Swansea City at the weekend.

The winger gave neither of the aforementioned a minute's peace as he surged down both flanks in front of the Kop - and the skipper revealed how he urged the 19-year-old to be at his unremitting best prior to each clash.

Gerrard explained: "I said to him before we played Everton, 'put yourself in the full-back's position - what doesn't he want? He doesn't want you to keep running at him'.

"Raheem was relentless that night. He kept going and going. He gave the Everton full-backs a torrid afternoon and he did it to Arsenal.

"Now he has to do it every week and get that consistency in his game. If he gets that consistency, he is going to be a frightening talent."

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Sterling hit a brace against Arsenal at Anfield, which took his tally for the season to six goals, but he was equally impressive during the subsequent clashes against Fulham and the Gunners in the capital.

Gerrard believes that his teammate's fine vein of form will have been picked up on by England manager Roy Hodgson, who could be considering Sterling for a place in his squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

"Raheem has been in great form over the last couple of months and I'm sure Roy is watching him very closely," Gerrard said.

"The Arsenal game was an unbelievable performance from a guy of that age. I was just disappointed that he didn't go on and get his hat-trick.

"His form of late has been sensational and if he continues that until the end of the season, we will see him at the World Cup."