Raheem Sterling made his Liverpool debut against Wigan, having generated plenty of excitement beforehand © Getty Images
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Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has said that talented youngster Raheem Sterling's development will be handled with "common sense", after giving the 17-year-old his first-team debut as a substitute over the weekend.
Sterling, who has created a buzz with his displays for the Anfield club's Academy system, came on in the 85th minute of Saturday's 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Wigan, and Dalglish is keen to see the England youth international continue his progress under the right guidance.
"We need to have common sense and make sure we do a professional job on any of the kids coming in," Dalglish was quoted as saying by Liverpool's official website.
"Anybody who comes here must have a chance of being a professional footballer, but he's got a much better chance if we face reality. We've got to be realistic with him."
Dalglish continued: "At the same time we've got to be appreciative and realise it doesn't matter what age they are if they're good enough.
"But there is a bit of time to go yet on all of the kids. Last year we threw in Jack Robbo (Robinson) and Flanno (Jon Flanagan) and it never fazed them, but physically they were a bit stronger than Raheem.
"Every case is going to be different so we've got to look at them all individually and manage them, because we want them here for a long time."
Sterling joined the Liverpool Academy from Queens Park Rangers in February 2010, and the hype surrounding the player intensified when he scored five of his side's goals in a 9-0 FA Youth Cup win shortly after his arrival at Anfield.
