Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has denied claims that Raheem Sterling's form has suffered due to tiredness.
Sterling has started all but one of the Reds' games so far this season, and played 120 minutes in their League Cup victory over Middlesbrough last month.
Speaking after his side's 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, Rodgers defended the teenager's performance and praised the England international's work rate.
Rodgers told reporters: "It's tough for him. I've been trying to protect the kid not just from performances but from headlines. People try to write him off because he's tired, but he put in an incredible shift in this game.
"He's going to have good games and he is going to have games where he is not going to set the world alight but one thing about Raheem is that he will always give 100%."
Liverpool travel to Queens Park Rangers after the international break.
Paul Gorst
