Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard thinks Raheem Sterling can go “all the way to the top” after a fine start to his senior career.

The 17-year-old starlet scored his first goal for Liverpool at the weekend against Reading, making him the second-youngest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history.

“I think he has been a great surprise to everyone, not that he is doing so well at this level but I don’t think anyone expected him to break through so early,” Gerrard told reporters.

“I think we all knew he was going to be good enough to play for the first team but when they are young and small and that size, sometimes you need to take a little bit of extra care.

“They [young players] used to get a taste towards the end of the season but the manager has come in, seen what he has done in pre-season and said he is ready now.

“He hasn’t let anyone down and he’s been sensational so far.

“If he can add assists and goals to his game the more he grows he can go all the way to the top.”

The skipper also believes that Brendan Rodgers’ faith in Sterling has been a key factor in his development but warns that the former QPR trainee still has a long way to go.

“First and foremost he has the trust of the manager,” Gerrard added. “He is the one who picks the team and week in, week out he is getting a start.

“That is what you need when you break through; you need the manager to believe in you because sometimes it is hard to play well every game.

“When you don’t play well, the manager keeps playing you and he’s telling you that you are ready for this level, you’re going to be around for a long time so get out and do your stuff and that is what he did against Reading.”

The House of Commons will hold a parliamentary debate on the Hillsborough disaster during its Monday session.

The debate follows the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel (HIP)’s report in September, which revealed new evidence that prompted the Attorney General, Dominic Grieve QC, to apply to have the original verdicts from the inquests into the deaths of 96 fans quashed.

A verdict of accidental death was found after the original inquest but according to the new report, up to 41 Liverpool supporters could have been saved during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

Frank Field, the Labour MP for Birkenhead, has stated in a column for the Liverpool Echo that he canvassed questions from Hillsborough families in his constituency to ask during the debate.

These include queries on how the government will hold accountable “those people who by their actions prevented lives from being saved” and who “orchestrated the cover-up”.

Field adds that the families are also concerned with regards to the practical difficulties of holding new inquests. He has already written to Grieve asking that they be held in Liverpool for easier attendance.

The 70-year-old will also request details concerning the identity of the organisations that could face criminal charges, and their scope.

The HIP report absolved Liverpool supporters of responsibility for the disaster and placed the blame primarily with the police, as well as other emergency services.

South Yorkshire Police has referred the actions of its officers to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, while West Yorkshire Police has referred its current chief constable Norman Bettison to the same body. Bettison announced that he would retire in 2013 shortly after the HIP report was published.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that he is still very critical of Raheem Sterling following the youngster’s first senior goal for the club.

Sterling, who played a key role in Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Reading at Anfield on Saturday, has had an impressive start to the season and has already been linked with a spot in the England squad for November’s friendly against Sweden.
And Rodgers believes that his “tough love” approach will get the best out of Sterling as his burgeoning career continues.

 “Yes, there’s some tough love going on, because he’s still got an awful long way to go,” Rodgers explained to reporters.

“What’s very important is I always offer the players the carrot. No one in this world responds to being beaten with a stick. We have to be careful because we want to nurture a real talent.

“We want to have him [Sterling] here as a legend for many years. We don’t want him at 17 years of age getting carried away with all the adulation and then at 21 he’s washed up and everyone wants him out.

“The biggest thing with me is just maintaining the hunger he has now.

“When he has that and he’s learning and developing he can be a really top player. There’s a long way to go but he’s been a revelation.”