Rodgers calls on Sterling to match Ronaldo’s success
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has urged Raheem Sterling to follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Aged just 19, Sterling has established himself as a key player for Liverpool and England, and Rodgers believes his career so far can be compared to that of Real Madrid star Ronaldo, who joined Manchester United from Sporting in 2003.
“You would argue that at 19, Raheem has had a similar impact,” Rodgers said. “Ronaldo came to the country as an 18-year-old, and certainly in these last couple of years Raheem has made a similar impact at the beginning of his career.
“It’s now about going to those next levels with the second part of his curve. The first part is coming in and establishing yourself as a young player – it’s not easy earning that respect. Now hopefully he’ll move onto the levels.
“He won’t have a better example than [Ronaldo] because how he lives his life as a professional and his efficiency on the field as his numbers dictate everything. He’s super-efficient.”
Liverpool are preparing for their second game against Real Madrid in the Champions League at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.
Ronaldo made an impression when scoring a stunning opener in the European champions’ 3-0 victory at Anfield in the teams’ first meeting, and Rodgers was hugely impressed by the Ballon d’Or winner’s application.
“It started for him in our game when I saw him training the night before the game,” he said. “It was hammering it down and it was freezing cold, and I saw images of him later on that evening and the next day and he was smiling, he was happy.
“I saw him before the start of the game and he was stood there, just taking all of it in, drinking his water and probably loving being back in England again, and when he was ready to go to work he threw the bottle away and he went to work.
“It is a joy to see someone who puts so much into their game get their rewards. It’s not by accident. The hours he puts in to practice to work to get his body right to prepare to look after himself, it’s an absolute joy to see that talent.”
He added: “What I’ve loved about Ronaldo is that you talk about persistence in life and professionalism in life – this is a guy who turned up for the Ballon d’Or four years on the trot probably thinking on a couple of occasions he’s going to be close to winning it.
“He didn’t, but he’s kept going, he’s kept fighting and then deservedly won it. If you are talking about the last year, and Messi has struggled with injury, you have to say Ronaldo has been the best player in terms of club and international football.”
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