'Liverpool starlet must step up'

Liverpool’s rising stars must begin fulfilling their potential if they want to become a permanent part of the first-team picture at Anfield, club captain Steven Gerrard said on Friday. Manager Brendan Rodgers blooded a number of academy graduates last season, but Gerrard says players like Raheem sterling and Andre Wisdom cannot afford to live off their potential indefinitely.

 ‘You only get described as a young lad for a certain amount of time and then it’s time to become a man and perform on a consistent basis,’ the midfielder said. ‘there is great talent at the club at a young age; the manager has been trying to get a young group of players together that can perform well for him. 

‘It’s a big season for a lot of players -- you look at (Raheem) sterling and (Jordan) Henderson. ‘Of course it’s a big season for every player we’ve got, but i think the supporters will be looking for the young lads to step up now, try to push people out of the way and become regulars in the team.’