Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has declared that Raheem Sterling needs time to recover from a thigh tear and may not play again this season.

Sterling will definitely be sidelined for at least two weeks with a thigh problem that has hampered his season since January.

Rodgers is adamant that the Reds must be cautious with the youngster to protect him at this early stage of his career.

He told Sky Sports News: "Raheem has an ongoing problem with a small tear at the top of his thigh.

"It has worsened and is something that, if he plays, could end up bigger and creating problems as he gets older. So we've a duty to the boy not to store up a problem for later.

"We felt it would be best to give him a two-week breather from the training to protect the injury. If he needs to rest until the end of the season, then that'll happen."

The 18-year-old has made 36 appearances for Liverpool this season and also made his full international debut for England last November against Sweden.