The 19-year-old was one of the Reds’ best performers as they were beaten by Manchester United in pre-season on Monday and his manager is excited by his continual improvement

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers reserved praise for Raheem Sterling’s “outstanding” performance against Manchester United despite a 3-1 defeat.

The Reds were beaten in a pre-season clash in Miami on Monday but the 19-year-old won his side a penalty in the first half, continuing the fine form that won him a World Cup place earlier this summer.

Rodgers told the press: “I thought [Sterling] was outstanding and he was a real threat. He is tactically aware for such a young player and he is so exciting to watch. When he runs at defenders he can create many opportunities.

“At 19 years of age he is a real talent and he is getting better all the time.”

Despite the loss, Rodgers is pleased with how his side are shaping up as they prepare to face Southampton in their Premier League opener on August 17.

“I thought it was a really good game and both teams have had a very good workout out here,” he remarked. “I thought we were well worth the lead and had a couple more chances to increase that and it looked like maybe we should have had another penalty.

“We conceded a disappointing equaliser and then very quickly conceded another one so the game started to get stretched a bit but, overall, I’m delighted with the whole tournament and what it’s done for us.

“We have worked very hard and we will leave here with plenty of positives and look forward to the new season.

“The condition of the players that we have at the moment is very good. We’ve obviously got a few missing but certainly, by Southampton, we will be ready and we are looking forward to it.”

The Anfield boss says that the playmaker is “a great asset to the club” and is keen to secure his long-term future, while he hopes for more goals from the Brazilian this season

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho will be offered a new contract before the start of the upcoming season.

The 22-year-old has shone at Anfield since joining the club in an €11 million move from Inter in January 2013, scoring and assisting 20 goals in 46 Premier League appearances.

Rodgers believes that Coutinho is a player around whom he can build his side, with his best years still ahead of him, and is keen to reward the former Vasco da Gama star with an extension.

“A new contract for Philippe is something we will look to do over the summer,” the Northern Irishman told reporters.

“It’s all in hand. He’s certainly on that list. He’s a valuable player and a great asset to the club. He’s come in here and shown his quality, and really developed as a young player.

“Now he’s moving into the best years of his life as a footballer. He’s 22 and hopefully, by the time the next World Cup comes around, he will be an important part of the Brazil team. I’m sure his best years will be at Liverpool.

“He came back to pre-season with a great level of fitness – right on the limit of his weight. He’s in great condition, clearly worked hard in the off-season and, since he’s come back, we’ve seen in the games how strong and aggressive he is.”

Coutinho bagged just five goals last term, fewer than defender Martin Skrtel, and the Liverpool boss expects the Brazilian to hit the back of the net more often next season – though he refused to set him a target.

“He’s a player I don’t want to put too much pressure on with goals,” Rodgers explained. “When you have that quality and technique you’ll hope to score more goals and I’m sure that’s something he will improve on this season.”

Following a Steven Gerrard penalty kick, the Red Devils hit three goals in the second half to claim the pre-season tournament

A second-half comeback saw Manchester United beat Liverpool 3-1 to lift the International Champions Cup on Monday.

Quick-fire goals from Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata in the second half cancelled out Steven Gerrard’s opener as United claimed early bragging rights over their Premier League rivals.

Substitute Jesse Lingard completed the scoring with a fine volley from the edge of the area in the 89th minute at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.

Liverpool were in control of proceedings after captain Gerrard converted a 14th-minute penalty but the Manchester club hit back in the second half.

Rooney – named captain for the fixture – put United on level terms in the 55th minute before Mata completed the turnaround with a goal of his own just two minutes later as Louis van Gaal’s team ended their tour of the United States unbeaten.

Both teams will now return to England as they prepare for their Premier League openers, with United hosting Swansea City on August 16 and Liverpool entertaining Southampton the following day.

United were forced to make one change to the team that started against Real Madrid, with Javier Hernandez replacing the injured Danny Welbeck in attack for the club’s final match in the United States.

There were five changes to the Liverpool starting XI, as Sebastian Coates, Kolo Toure, Jack Robinson, Lucas and Jordan Ibe all made way for Gerrard, Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho, Glen Johnson and Philippe Coutinho.

United made a composed start in Miami and were unfortunate not to take a fifth-minute lead as Sakho was on hand to scramble the ball clear ahead of the onrushing Mata following Ashley Young’s teasing cross into the six-yard box.

Substitute Luke Shaw was called upon in the eighth minute due to an injury to United wing-back Antonio Valencia.

Liverpool began to cause problems and Brendan Rodgers’ men were awarded a penalty in the 14th minute after United defender Phil Jones fouled Raheem Sterling.

Gerrard stepped up and made no mistake from the spot, sending goalkeeper David de Gea the wrong way.

Liverpool controlled the half from that point with their high-tempo pressing causing United problems and the Merseyside outfit thought they had another spot-kick in the 33rd minute when Sterling was brought down under a challenge from Ander Herrera, but the referee waved away appeals.

Sterling was in the thick of action within five minutes of the restart, with his deflected shot flashing just wide of the post.

But whatever Van Gaal said during his half-time team talk worked as United restored parity 10 minutes into the second half courtesy of Rooney, who was on the end of Hernandez’s cross to side-foot the ball into the far corner of the net – his fifth goal on tour.

It got better for United two minutes later when Mata beat goalkeeper Simon Mignolet from the edge of the area, albeit with a deflection off Sakho, before Lingard’s fine finish late on.