Liverpool
manager Brendan Rodgers says he is ready to unleash Raheem Sterling on
Real Madrid – even though the teenager played 95 minutes against QPR on
Sunday.
Rodgers
has rejected claims that Sterling said he was 'tired' while on England
duty although he has talked himself about the dangers of burn-out facing
the 19-year-old.
Sterling
certainly looked fresh when he embarked on the injury-time run that set
up Liverpool's goal in a 3-2 win at Loftus Road and Rodgers is
confident he can show the same verve and energy on Wednesday night
despite having only 72 hours to recover.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers (left) shakes hands with Raheem Sterling
Sterling (second left) helped Liverpool to a last-gasp victory at QPR on Sunday when he set up the winner
'Raheem
has shown over the last couple of years he has the ability and quality
to reproduce performances like that,' said Rodgers. 'He was a real
catalyst but it was no surprise to see him at that level.
'He
showed wonderful speed, technique and, of course, hard work. So there
is no doubt he can arrive into this game (v Real) like he's done since
I've been here.'
Rodgers
has had to regularly field questions about why Liverpool have fallen
short of last season's standards when they ran Manchester City close to
winning the Premier League.
A
big turnaround in personnel over the summer has created inconsistent
results and in the Champions League a home win against Ludogorets was
followed by a disappointing 1-0 loss in Basle.
Rodgers (second right) addresses the media ahead of his side's crucial Champions League game this week
The Liverpool manager believes that Sterling (pictured) will be fine to play, rubbishing claims he is tired
Rogers feels the arrvial of The Galacticos could inspire his players.
'We
understand it is a very important game for us and obviously a great
challenge,' he said. 'This group really lift ourselves for the big
games.
'We
haven't got to the levels of last season but this is a special game in a
special competition. But knowing the competitors we have in our team, I
am confident we will rise to the challenge of Real Madrid.
'It
is still going to be a difficult game. They are a squad of top-class
players. Of course Ronaldo is arguably the best in the world, his
evolution from a soloist who scored goals to a goalscorer has been
impressive.
'But we need to have a plan for our team first to cause them problems, and then work out a way of stoppoing them, as a team.'
Real Madrid are the visitors to Anfield on Wednesday, in a Champions League Group B match
There were claims that Sterling told England manager Roy Hodgson he was tired while on international duty
On
Gareth Bale's injury, Rodgers added: 'He is a world-class player, he's
got fantastic speed so of course if he is not playing it can be an
advantage. But their squad is fantastic, they can bring players like
Isco so the advantage isn't significant and certainly they will test us
in the game.
'For
us, although it is a difficult tie for us and we aren't playing as well
as we have done, people haven't focussed on our character and spirit
and it's that which is allowing us to win games.
'We need that on Wednesday to go with quality of our football to take another step to qulaifying from the group.'
Captain Steven Gerrard called on the team to improve from their win at QPR if they want to trouble Madrid.
And
on Tuesday night at the official pre-match Champions League press
conference, he explained: 'We have been a bit up and down, in a bit of a
stuttering season. Everyone is well aware we have lost a phenomenal
player in Suarez and struggled getting Sturridge on the field, so it is
only natural we would have teething problems.
'But I have huge confidence in these players we can get back to the level we had last season. It won't be very long.'
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