Brendan Rodgers has not ruled out Raheem Sterling playing for the England Under-21s next summer but warns: "Too many miles on the clock as a youngster will break him."
The Liverpool boss is keen to draw a line under a story which has dominated the headlines this week; Sterling started England's clash with Estonia on the bench after he complained of feeling tired.
"I want to move on from the Sterling saga for the sake of the kid," said Rodgers.
"It's been grossly unfair how Raheem has been criticised for something he did not say. He's back here in a secure environment.
"Roy and I have exchanged messages, we want to put this to bed and move on, and concentrate on looking after a huge talent.
"We are club and country here, not club v country. Liverpool are no barrier to England."
Reports on Friday morning suggested that Sterling was keen to play in the European Under-21 Championship next summer but the final decision is likely to lie with Rodgers.
"Sterling is eligible to play for the Under-21s and we'll assess that as the season goes on.
"But too many miles on the clock as a youngster will break him and his career could be finished at 26/27. We need to protect them."
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