Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers may loan out rising star Raheem Sterling as he seeks to dampen hype There are very few players in the world who get into a Premier League team at 17, never mind a top club. He has certainly shown qualities and we'll decide over the next few weeks whether he stays and he's involved now or if he goes for a loan period. That's a decision for me over the next few weeks. The expectation on Sterling has been excessive. He received a standing ovation when he made his Anfield debut against Wigan in March after a series of exciting reserve and youth performance, but says he understands Rodgers" cautious approach. "Obviously everyone wants to be playing now, but that's not the real world and you have to take it step by step," he said. Then when you get the call, you want to take it which is what I'm hoping to do here. The manager just said work hard and it doesn't matter about your age, if you work hard, if you get the chance just take it. It was a dream come true to have everyone wanting to see me play and really excited. Now I just want to get better. It's a good feeling to have that expectation but I'm still only 17 and learning. As a young player you're always trying to impress, especially when it's a new manager, but it's also key not to overdo it and keep it simple. It's great to be part of the squad and the new manager is great with the young lads and he wants attractive football, which is what Liverpool Football Club is all about. I just hope to do well if I get some minutes in the pre-season games and take it from there. Playing last season has whet my appetite even more, but we'll have to see if the manager thinks I can be part of the team. If Sterling does progress, he hopes to succeed by emulating a legend connected to Liverpool's arch rivals Manchester United. "The obvious idol for me is Cristiano Ronaldo, but you can't really model yourself on those sort of players," said Sterling. You just want to take parts of their game and add it to yours. Sterling's team-mates certainly believe it could be a breakthrough year for the teenager. "Raheem's going to be a big player for Liverpool," said Joe Cole. He has got that mentality. I don't think anything will faze him. He has definitely got goals in him. I know the fans saw him for a few games towards the end of last season and he could really make an impression this season. He can be a special player. Rodgers, meanwhile, won't be burdened by a demand to finish in the top four in his first season. Liverpool's principal owner John Henry said it was a major disappointment not to qualify for the Champions League last year, but he has tempered expectations for the new appointment. "We don't want to put any pressure on Brendan by saying you have got to make the Champions League this year," said Henry. Of course he wants to make the Champions League, we all do and so does every team in the Premier League. I thought it was realistic last season but we were so far off that pace. At this point we're just trying to get things stabilised - that should be one of our goals.