Soccer

Dalglish backs kids to cope

Soccer: Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insists he does not have to manage the expectations of youngsters like Raheem Sterling…

Wed Feb 16 2011 - 00:00

Soccer:Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insists he does not have to manage the expectations of youngsters like Raheem Sterling as they have every right to enjoy first-team exposure.

The five-goal star of Monday’s 9-0 FA Youth Cup demolition of Southend was included in the squad which travelled for the Europa League last-32 tie against Sparta Prague. And if he plays tomorrow, Sterling would become the club’s youngest first-team player at 16 years and 71 days.

However, fellow youth team members John Flanagan, Conor Coady, Tom Ince and Jack Robinson — who currently holds the youngest player record at 16 years and 250 days — were also on the flight to the Czech Republic.

Captain Steven Gerrard and centre back Daniel Agger have both remained in Liverpool as they recover from groin injuries, while new signing Luis Suarez is cup-tied.

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“It is fantastic for Raheem to be involved, as it is for the other lads,” Dalglish said. “It it is a fantastic occasion for the youth team lads. We want to make sure they feel part and parcel of the club and they are there because they deserve to be.

“The have done very well and none of them will be carried away by the result in the Youth Cup. We will be sensible with the kids. We don’t have to manage the expectations of anyone other than the media, they are the ones who have blown it out of proportion.

“Raheem might have got the praise for the performance the other night but there were a lot of people who deserved it.”

And Dalglish joked: “We’ve got a babysitter organised for Raheem in the hotel tonight. He’s got to do his homework before he goes to sleep so we’ll make sure he continues to get his education.”

Sterling is still at school, attending Rainhill High in Prescot, but was able to travel to Prague as it is currently the half-term holidays. The England youth international joined Liverpool’s academy last February after a €600,000 move from Queens Park Rangers.

He came off the bench in a pre-season friendly against Borussia Moenchengladbach and last month was officially given a first team squad number.

Liverpool team from:Reina, Jones, Gulacsi, Johnson, Flanagan, Aurelio, Robinson, Kyrgiakos, Wilson, Carragher, Kelly, Skrtel, Meireles, Cole, Maxi, Jovanovic, Lucas, Coady, Ince, Sterling, Pacheco, Kuyt, Ngog.