The Liverpool captain has added to the winger’s growing list of admirers and urged him to keep “believing in himself” as he looks to earn a place in England’s World Cup squad

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has admitted he tries to avoid team-mate Raheem Sterling in training.

Sterling has scored five goals in 21 Premier League appearances for the Anfield outfit this season, earning plaudits for his recent displays.

And Gerrard believes the best is yet to come from the 19-year-old and urged him to continue listening to advice from his peers and maintain the confidence in his performances.

“He is the toughest in our squad,” the skipper told the club’s official website. “I don’t go near him in training because if I do, there is only one winner.

“He just needs to keep learning and listening to Brendan Rodgers and the experienced players in the dressing room and believing in himself. If he does that, he’ll be all right.”

With Roy Hodgson beginning to mull over his England squad for the 2014 World Cup, national team skipper Gerrard feels Sterling can force himself into contention.

“He has been in great form over the last couple of months and I’m sure Roy Hodgson is watching him very closely,” he continued.

“His form of late has been sensational and if he continues that until the end of the season, we will see him at the World Cup.

“Now he just has to get that consistency in his game. If he gets that consistency, he is going to be a frightening talent.”