Brendan Rodgers: 'Raheem Sterling looked fresher after break'

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has suggested that giving Raheem Sterling a holiday recently seems to have paid off following his performance against Chelsea in the League Cup.

The young England international grabbed an important equaliser against Jose Mourinho's men at Anfield, after the London club had originally taken the lead through Eden Hazard's penalty.

"This is about the boy's life and his career. People will talk about it but I'm only worried about the kid," said Rodgers, according to BBC Sport.

"You could see tonight he was probably fresher, not so much physically but mentally. He's had so much put on him so early in his career. There is no doubt he is an exceptional young talent."

Winger Sterling took a holiday to Jamaica after Rodgers decided to give him a rest, following a tough summer of international football and an intense opening to the Premier League season.