Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed how rejection as a young player has inspired him to give the likes of Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe their break in the first team. Rodgers failed to make it as a professional footballer despite leaving Northern Ireland for England at the age of 16 and training with the Reading youth team. The Reds manager believes the memory of missing out on a first team spot despite being promised one has helped him to handle Liverpool's young players. Brendan Rodgers takes positives from his experience of not making it as a professional footballer 20-year-old star Raheem Sterling (left) has flourished under the guidance of RodgersBrendan Rodgers failed to make it as a professional footballerRodgers left Northern Ireland at the age of 16 to prove himself at ReadingThe Liverpool boss was forced to quit playing by the age of 2042-year-old believes past experiences have inspired him to look after Liverpool's young stars
_ (middle row, second up) was on the books at Reading where he was captain of the youth team.