Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling has claimed that he will welcome rough treatment from defenders this coming season.

Speaking after the Reds' 2-0 win against AC Milan on Saturday, the teenager stated that tough tackling from opponents is a sign that he is playing well.

He told The Mirror: "It's part of the game really, the physical side of it. You are going to get defenders that want to make sure you know their presence is there, and make sure it's being felt.

"It is all part of it – you've got to keep your temper and keep calm, and try to play the game and try to score so they know it's not all about the physical part of the game.

"I think if you are getting kicked a lot on the pitch, it means you are a threat to the opposition because they want to stop you as early as possible. In this game, you've just got to look at people like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo – they get kicked all the time, I think they are doing something right."

The 19-year-old scored nine goals last term.