Raheem Sterling will be rested as much as possible by Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool manager has revealed, with the youngster getting his first call-up to the England squad.

Sterling has gone from strength to strength this season, making his move into the first team at Anfield and providing some positive news for the squad that Rodgers has admitted is much thinner than he had hoped would be the case at the end of the summer transfer window.

And as the 17 year old was announced to play in England's friendly with Sweden, Rodgers said that he wouldn't be bothered by the overexposure so long as he can continue to protect the starlet's development.

"He is 17 and we have to protect him. Maybe we will let him out of the pram when he is 18!" he joked in the Daily Mirror. "I would not have any worries about Raheem Sterling being called in the England squad. He is in capable hands.

"He has coped with everything, and the big thing is his courage. I have seen him grow from a young kid to a young man in the last few months. He has really grown and developed.

"But the point I have made since the very beginning is it is about making sure the timing is right for these players, not to let them have too much too young and get over exposure."

Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling is touted for big things with Liverpool, and Brendan Rodgers is keeping a watchful eye over the youngster's progress.

Rodgers also revealed that he would be handing Joe Cole another chance to impress in tonight's Europa League match up with Anzhi Makhachkala, after the midfielder was disappointing in the Capital One Cup.

"We view these games as a real positive and a chance for us to look at everyone," he explained.

"Joe Cole will travel. In this period here there will be opportunities then it is about how you take them.

"Henderson has a wonderful attitude to the game, he has wonderful physical attributes and I think he can get goals. His appetite for the game is very good.

"This period is about adapting for him. We play a quick-thinking game and he is working on that all the time. I like him. I have enjoyed working with him, he is prepared to work and that is the beauty of him."