Raheem Sterling has said that he is "praying" for Ben Watson after the Wigan midfielder suffered a broken leg in a collision with the Liverpool teenager.

Watson suffered the injury as he jumped with the Reds striker during the first half of Saturday's Premier League contest, which Liverpool went on to win 3-0.

In a tweet, Sterling wrote: "To Ben Watson I didn't realise it was serious as that. I'll be praying for a speedy recovery mate. I'll have you in my prayers every day."

Sterling, 17, was absolved of any blame for the freak injury by Wigan boss Roberto Martinez, who said: "Both were looking at the ball - it's a real accident. It's a nasty collision."

Watson, 27, is expected to be out of action for four months.