Sterling set for England U21s

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists he is happy for Raheem Sterling to take part in this summer's U21 European Championship.

Rodgers has been careful to manage the development of the 18-year-old and has played him in the club's U21 side despite Sterling breaking into the first team this season.

Sterling has already played for Roy Hodgson's senior side, making his England debut in the 4-2 friendly defeat to Sweden in November.

But he could well represent Stuart Pearce's side in this summer's U21s tournament in Israel, where England will face the host nation in the group stages, as well as Italy and Norway.

"I spoke to Stuart Pearce because we have a number of England U21 boys here and I don't think it would do Raheem any harm," Rodgers told the Daily Mail.

"He's had a good season and going to a tournament like that, if selected, will be good for his experience."

As far as Sterling's club football is concerned, Rodgers has confirmed he is considering playing the winger against Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals.

"Micah Richards played in the Youth Cup when he was in the Manchester City side in the semi-finals so we will see," added Rodgers.



"I don't know a player around his age who is playing regularly at this level.

"We just have to ensure that as a club, we don't make any mistakes with his development."

Sterling's girlfriend to compete for world beauty

The girlfriend of Liverpool FC rising star Raheem Sterling Shana Ann Rose Halliday has made it to the world final of a beauty pageant.



Shana Ann was crowned the winner of England’s Top Model of the World pageant.



The 19-year-old, originally from Garston, now lives with her footballer boyfriend Raheem, who joined Liverpool in 2010, in Formby.



She will now will jet off to Egypt to compete against girls from more than 90 countries on March 17.



Shana, who works as a sales assistant at Hollister, told the ECHO: “I still can’t believe it. I’ve been wearing my tiara all day since I won.

 Raheem Sterling's girlfriend Shana Ann Rose Halliday to compete for world beauty title.

“I’ve only come second in a pageant before so I’m made up, I had a ball and everything went smoothly.” The former Calderstones School pupil added: “I’m really looking forward to the photo-shoot.



“I can’t wait to go to Egypt and meet all the different girls from around the world, it will be a good experience and I’m really excited but nervous.”



The pageant, organised by former Miss United Kingdom, Rachelle Perez, saw 12 finalists competing for the all-expenses paid trip to El Gouna at a sold- out show at Shorrocks Hill, in Formby.



Rachelle, from Melling, said: “Shana has also won a 12-month modelling contract with G-Models. Our judging panel included Take Me Out star Ollie Lemmings, beauty queen Sam Woolley and from Desperate Scousewives Steve Dermott.



“It was a great evening and we also raised hundreds for children’s charity Stick ’n’ Step, in Wirral.



“The audience were really raising the roof with the screams and cheers for each contestant.





“The final scores between the top five were really tight.



“There was one point between first and second place.



“It’s such an amazing feeling to be able to give other girls the opportunity to help make their dreams come true.



“I can’t wait to head out to Egypt with Shana to offer my support and advice.



“Hopefully she will bring home that world crown and $20,000 prize money.”

Rodgers: Sterling 'foolish' not to stay

Brendan Rodgers believes Raheem Sterling would be "very foolish" not to commit himself to Liverpool.

The 17-year-old winger has burst onto the scene this season, starting 13 out of 14 Barclays Premier League matches and earning an England debut in the friendly against Sweden.



He turns 18 a week tomorrow, with the club currently in negotiations over a first professional contract.



The player has already intimated new terms can wait until his birthday, and Rodgers has stressed he is confident there will not be any hitches, but that has not stopped the speculation about the teenager's future.



Rodgers knows how valuable Sterling can be to his side but he believes it is a two-way street and has urged him to recognise the importance of the Reds in his development.



"It's important for the club to sign our young talent - but it's even more important for Raheem," Rodgers told reporters.



"If you are 17 and playing regularly, you would be very foolish not to commit yourself very quickly.



"This is a club that is going to give young players an opportunity and he has played more games than he could have dreamed of this season, both in the Premier League and the Europa League.



"Liverpool have given him the chance to become a full international player.



"If I was Raheem Sterling and his agents, I would look to tie it up very quickly.



"Raheem's (contract) has been ongoing really.



"The club and his representatives are in good dialogue and communication and hopefully we will get that resolved very soon, but there is no timescale."



Although Sterling has been a key performer in Rodgers' first season at Anfield, the Northern Irishman accepts there will come a point when he will need to be rested for his own benefit.



Rodgers has no concerns about the physical demands on the player but accepts he may require a mental break.



"There will be at some point and we'll need to give him a breather, there's no question," said the Reds boss.



"He's a very young man and is still learning the game. He still has technical elements he needs to improve upon and tactical elements.



"But one of the biggest things is psychological at this level - real mental fatigue can set in.



"He's been terrific so far. He's got to this stage at the end of November and been absolutely brilliant, but at some point he will need that breather.



"He's been one of our leading players, but for the benefit of Raheem it'll be something I'll need to consider."

Sterling and Osman will start

Roy Hodgson will create a new landmark when he thrusts Leon Osman and Raheem Sterling into the England fray against Sweden in Stockholm on Wednesday evening.

Osman, at 31 years and 181 days and Sterling, at just 17 years and 342 will create the biggest age gap between Three Lions debutants since World War II.

With Tottenham's Steven Caulker included in Hodgson's starting XI as well, his first international appearance since being embroiled in the atrocious scenes after the U21 clash in Serbia, suddenly a late autumn trip to Sweden has taken on greater importance.

"Steven Caulker and Raheem have been playing regularly for the Under-21s and have made that transition," said Hodgson, who has taken the unusual step of naming his starting XI. "Leon Osman is the odd one out. He has been performing regularly and well for Everton but has been passed over.

"I thought it was time to give him a chance because he has been one of the unsung heroes of a very good football club and a very good football team. He is a very energetic player. And the fact he is 31 surprises me because he plays like a much younger man.

"Let's hope that continues and I won't have to worry about his birth certificate."

If Osman is getting due recognition for his selfless contribution to the Everton cause, it is the man who hails from the other side of Stanley Park who will get all the attention, as Sterling will become England's fifth youngest international.

"In some of the Liverpool games I have seen, he has pretty much been the star player," said Hodgson, who first noticed Sterling properly when he was at Anfield and blooded the youngster in a pre-season match against Borussia Monchengladbach, at which point he was only 15.

"He is extremely dangerous with his ability to run with the ball, his pace and directness. He has even scored one or two important goals. If he can do it on a regular basis for Liverpool in the Premier League I have every right to think he can do it playing for England as well."



England team to play Sweden: Hart (Manchester City), Johnson (Liverpool), Cahill (Chelsea), Caulker (Tottenham), Baines (Everton), Gerrard (Liverpool), Cleverley (Manchester United), Osman (Everton), Sterling (Liverpool), Welbeck (Manchester United), Young (Manchester United).

Downing backs starlet Sterling

Liverpool winger Stewart Downing has praised Raheem Sterling and suggested he takes on board as much advice as he can.



The 17-year-old received a surprise call-up to the England squad on Monday to provide cover after the withdrawal of Theo Walcott and concerns over Daniel Sturridge's fitness.



Having been a couple of outings last season Sterling has found himself thrust into the limelight in new manager Brendan Rodgers' first campaign at Anfield and Downing sees similarities with his own career.



"Credit where credit is due, he's a good player," said the England winger, who missed out on selection for this round of World Cup qualifiers after ironically losing his first-team place to Sterling.



"He deserved his chance and he's done well in two difficult games (against Manchester City and Arsenal). We weren't great against Arsenal but I thought he was one of our stand-out players.



"He's very mature for his age. He listens and he's got a good future. He's got a lot of experienced players around him and that is similar to how it was for me at Middlesbrough when I was young.



"I played with a lot of top professionals like Paul Ince and Gareth Southgate and had good people around me who could help.



"Raheem's certainly in good company here and I think in terms of advice I would tell him to listen and learn and just keep doing what he's doing at the moment.



"Take advice from the manager and listen to the players who are on the pitch on the day."



Downing's own focus is to regain his place in the starting line-up, having been used as a stop-gap left-back on a couple of occasions .



"I just want to play. I think for me it's a case of being adaptable and playing anywhere," he told liverpoolfc.com.



"In the modern game you have to be able to play in two or three positions.



"First and foremost I'm an attacking player but if the manager needs me to help out at the back then I'm willing to do so.



"It (playing left-back) has been demanding. I was up and down the wing and it involved a lot of running but as long as you are involved in the game and get plenty of the ball you tend to enjoy it more.



"I played there a few times at Aston Villa but I played there during the UEFA Cup campaign with Middlesbrough (in 2005-06).



"I was playing wing-back, similar to how I have done in recent games here at Liverpool, so I think that's what the manager has seen and maybe he thinks I can do the job there."

Pearce snubs Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling

Stuart Pearce has overlooked Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling for his latest England Under-21 squad.



Jamaica-born Sterling, 17, has made a big splash at Anfield this season, and starred in the 2-2 draw against Manchester City on Sunday.



But while his team-mates Jordan Henderson, Martin Kelly and Jonjo Shelvey are in the squad, Sterling is in the Under-19s instead.



Henderson is expected to captain the Young Lions for their European Championship qualifying double-header against Azerbaijan and Norway.



Victory in both Group 8 games next month will guarantee Pearce’s team a place in the decisive play-off in October.



Pearce also handed maiden call-ups for Blackpool winger Tom Ince and Leicester defender Ben Marshall.



Squad: Ben Amos, Declan Rudd, Jason Steele; Ryan Bennett, Steven Caulker, Nathaniel Clyne, Craig Dawson, Martin Kelly, Ben Marshall, Danny Rose, Adam Smith; Jordan Henderson, Tom Ince, Henri Lansbury, Jason Lowe, Josh McEachran, Jack Rodwell, Jonjo Shelvey, Wilfried Zaha; Nathan Delfouneso, Marvin Sordell, Connor Wickham, Martyn Waghorn.