Raheem Sterling grateful for first-team chance at Liverpool

Raheem Sterling has admitted that he knew he would get a chance to return to the first team at Liverpool as long as he was "ready".

The England Under-21 international has been included in manager Brendan Rodgers's first XI for the last 10 games after striker Daniel Sturridge suffered injury.

"I'm really enjoying having a run in the team; anyone playing for the club would love to have a run in the team," Sterling told the club's official website.

"I've been given a chance, the manager has put faith in me and played me week in, week out so far. Hopefully I can produce on the pitch and carry on. I knew within myself that there would be a point in the season when I would get a chance. I just had to be ready."

Now, Rodgers has a selection dilemma to deal with following the return of Sturridge, who scored in the Reds' 5-3 win over Stoke City last Sunday.