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Small in stature but big on talent, Jamaican-born Raheem Sterling has been making a solid name for himself in his first dive into top-flight senior football, but Liverpool fans aren't the only ones taking notice, as Reggae Boyz head coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore shared.
Sterling, 17, has only made five official appearances for Liverpool's first team but has already done enough to earn himself plaudits from all quarters, with his fearless and direct approach coupled with his daring skill and mercurial pace, dropping a few jaws and setting up a potential international tug of war.
The Marverly native has represented England at the Under-16 and Under-17 levels and his mother Nadine - also a Jamaican, has said in the past that it is her wish that her son will represent his country of birth at the senior level.
"When it comes to that decision, that is when I will decide but if Jamaica calls for me, why not?" Sterling was quoted some time ago, but according to Whitmore, the time has come and the decision now remains in Sterling's young hands.
Whitmore informed that himself and the Jamaica Football Federation have been in touch with Sterling and have invited him to the programme.
"We definitely showed an interest in Sterling before and we are just waiting on him now for the go-ahead," Whitmore told STAR Sports.
"We have seen him (Sterling) a number of times, he is a quality player with a lot to offer this programme, but it's up to him and the door is open," Whitmore underlined. "I don't want to go into any further details but as I said he is definitely someone we have our eyes on and its all up to him now."
Sterling migrated at the age of five before joining the Queens Park Rangers Academy at age 10. Liverpool then signed him in 2010 for an initial fee of £600,000, which could rise to as much as £5 million.
He quickly established himself in the club's youth programme and was given his first team debut in a league match in March, becoming the second-youngest player to represent the storied club, before later making his European debut last month.
He has already started a couple games, including Liverpool's league opening 2-2 draw with defending champions Manchester City.
Sterling, 17, has only made five official appearances for Liverpool's first team but has already done enough to earn himself plaudits from all quarters, with his fearless and direct approach coupled with his daring skill and mercurial pace, dropping a few jaws and setting up a potential international tug of war.
The Marverly native has represented England at the Under-16 and Under-17 levels and his mother Nadine - also a Jamaican, has said in the past that it is her wish that her son will represent his country of birth at the senior level.
"When it comes to that decision, that is when I will decide but if Jamaica calls for me, why not?" Sterling was quoted some time ago, but according to Whitmore, the time has come and the decision now remains in Sterling's young hands.
Whitmore informed that himself and the Jamaica Football Federation have been in touch with Sterling and have invited him to the programme.
"We definitely showed an interest in Sterling before and we are just waiting on him now for the go-ahead," Whitmore told STAR Sports.
"We have seen him (Sterling) a number of times, he is a quality player with a lot to offer this programme, but it's up to him and the door is open," Whitmore underlined. "I don't want to go into any further details but as I said he is definitely someone we have our eyes on and its all up to him now."
Sterling migrated at the age of five before joining the Queens Park Rangers Academy at age 10. Liverpool then signed him in 2010 for an initial fee of £600,000, which could rise to as much as £5 million.
He quickly established himself in the club's youth programme and was given his first team debut in a league match in March, becoming the second-youngest player to represent the storied club, before later making his European debut last month.
He has already started a couple games, including Liverpool's league opening 2-2 draw with defending champions Manchester City.
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