Liverpool's Raheem Sterling set to face Stoke — and risk booing which could give his agent new card to play

Brendan Rodgers fixed the middle distance with a cold stare, and snapped a short, blunt answer.

The Liverpool manager had just been asked if he would consider dropping Raheem Sterling for Sunday’s final game of the season at Stoke as the player’s agent may try to capitalise on any hint of a bad reception from the travelling fans.

It is a plausible scenario.

There is a real undercurrent of hostility from the Reds' support at the moment, with most saying Sterling should be banished from the first-team squad and left to rot, which could inspire some horrendous stick.

That clearly offers another excuse for Sterling to be dissatisfied.

Yet Rodgers was unequivocal as he dismissed the idea of his team selection being influenced by that prospect.

“Not really, no,” he said, with almost derision for the notion.

For the Liverpool manager – and the Anfield board – the situation is simple. They played hard-ball with Luis Suarez in 2013 when he became belligerent in a strikingly similar situation to Sterling's current one, because they knew he deserved it.

And the feeling towards Sterling is different. The club recognises he has barely left his teens, and is still coming to terms with the pressure of stardom his overnight success at Anfield inspired.

Rodgers explained: “My message to the supporters would be, ‘Look, this is a young boy who in my time as manager has given the football club everything. He was thrust into the team at 17 years of age, and has been exceptional.’

“He’s a young man who has obviously passed on his career to other people and, unfortunately, whether people perceive it as right or wrong, he is being led by the representative.

“But the young boy I see is still the same boy who wants to learn, and I think the supporters will just continue to show what they always do, which is wonderful support for every player in the Liverpool shirt.”

Rodgers was clear in his message. He stated several times that the player is under a long contract still, and is expected to fully honour that contract. But there was also an olive branch offered, too.