Footballer Raheem Sterling warned over 'laughing gas' (Test)

Premier League and England star Raheem Sterling has been warned about his off-the-field conduct after apparently being pictured inhaling laughing gas.

The 20-year-old, who scored a wonder goal in Liverpool's 2-0 home victory over Newcastle United last night, is seen in footage posted on The Sun's website apparently taking nitrous oxide - a legal high.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers praised his young attacker - who opened the scoring - for being "super-professional", but said he would speak to Sterling about his behaviour off the pitch.

Rodgers said: "For me it is something that when you are a professional sportsperson at the top level of the game, I don't think it is something you should be doing. It is as simple as that.

"But I will speak to him on it, to see what he says on it. As you can imagine, I have only seen this today.

"We want players here who are super-professional and focused on their football. I know he is. He very much is focused on his football and improving as a player.

"As I have said before, young players make mistakes. As long as they learn from them, that is what is important."

The matter adds to the controversy currently surrounding Sterling amid a wrangle over a new contract.

He risked the wrath of supporters a fortnight ago by admitting he had rejected a £100,000-per-week deal in an interview that was not sanctioned by the club recently.

Another newspaper also published pictures of him allegedly smoking a shisha pipe over the weekend.

Rodgers said any repercussions following the latest matter would be dealt with internally. He added that he did not feel the matter was a distraction.

He said: "You see the way he plays. He is a kid that is very strong-willed and strong-minded. He should have had a hat-trick, his performance was outstanding.

"I will speak to Raheem. Until then, it is something we will deal with internally."