Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that winger Raheem Sterling will benefit from competing at the European Under-21 Championships with England.

The Reds boss has allowed the 18-year-old to join up with the Young Lions if selected for this summer's tournament in Israel.

Sterling burst into the Liverpool first team at the start of the campaign but has since been dropped to the bench on numerous occasions, and had stints with the Reds Under-21s.

"I spoke to Stuart Pearce because we have a number of England Under-21 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."

England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce will lead his side's campaign from June 5.