BRENDAN RODGERS is backing Moussa Dembele to be a major player for the French international team in the future.
The 23-goal striker made the breakthrough to his nation’s Under-21 side this season after his exploits at Parkhead following his summer switch from Fulham.
And Rodgers believes it is only a matter of time before Dembele makes the step up to Didier Deschamps’ senior squad.
The Hoops boss said: “There’s no doubt in the next decade he’ll be leading France and being a real reference for the full national team.
“If he keeps the mentality he has now, which is to work, to improve and be better, then he can achieve what he wants to achieve.
“He has all the qualities and he’s a good guy, as well.
“We do a lot of work looking to improve his movement, his finishing, his game intelligence and his understanding of the game in the different moments.
“We do a lot of work on being clinical in the box. He scores lots of goals from inside the box.
“We try and improve his link-up play outside the box and give him an understanding of pressing the game.
“But he’s got so many big qualities. His base is really good. It’s just about improving.
“But that will come with playing games and getting more experienced at the highest level.”
Having worked with the likes of Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho at Liverpool, the Irishman knows a good player when he sees one.
Rodgers added: “Moussa has got huge potential. He’s just turned 20 years of age. I’ve worked with some really top young talents.
“I took Coutinho from Inter Milan at 19 and Sterling at 17. He’s he’s certainly up there with the big talents.
“He has a fantastic mentality which helps him. He has talent and he’s also very focused on being a footballer.”
