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Rodgers Promises To Give Young Players More Chance

Brendan Rodgers has vowed to continue to give young players first-team opportunities at Liverpool – providing they have the right personality.

Raheem Sterling has become a first-team fixture at Anfield at the age of 19 and has been named in England’s squad for the World Cup in Brazil this summer.

Jon Flanagan, 21, and 23-year-old Jordan Henderson have also been key components of a Reds side that finished second in the Barclays Premier League this season.

Rodgers has placed his faith in youth and will continue to do so as a first option when looking to add fresh blood to his first-team squad.

“Some of those boys have already sampled the first team. It’s really up to them; age is no barrier for me. If they’re good enough, they’ll be old enough.”

“I think it’s clear that we’re a football club that is about giving an opportunity to the youth players,” said Rodgers.

“I’m not sure there’s a younger squad of players that has qualified for the Champions League; I’m not sure there’s a younger group that will have finished second.

“It’s my first look – from within. Some of those boys have already sampled the first team. It’s really up to them; age is no barrier for me. If they’re good enough, they’ll be old enough.

“Raheem Sterling displaced full internationals at 17 years of age and has gone on to become a really top-class young player. Jon Flanagan is young. (Philippe) Coutinho we brought in as a 20-year-old.

“Jordon Ibe has played in the first team. So there is an opportunity there for them, but they have got to have the personality – which is key.”