Raheem Sterling has the last laugh in win over Newcastle amid Nitrous oxide scandal

BRENDAN RODGERS questioned Raheem Sterling’s professionalism after he was embroiled in fresh drug controversy.

Raheem Sterling Player Profile

Liverpool manager Rodgers will carpet the England star – who scored his team’s first goal in the win over Newcastle last night – after he was pictured allegedly inhaling laughing gas.

He had already been pictured taking a drag on a shisha pipe before a video was posted on a newspaper website of him inhaling nitrus oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, from a balloon.

The latest controversy is the last thing Sterling, 20, needs having earned the wrath of fans for shelving contract talks with Liverpool until the summer after rejecting a £100,000-a-week deal.

“It’s very simple. I will speak to Raheem on that. Until I do it, we will deal with it internally," Rodgers said.

“For me, if you’re a professional sports person at top of the game it’s not something you should be doing but I will speak to him to see what he says.

“I only saw it [video] today. We want players here who are super professional, focused on their football. I know he is but young players will make mistakes and as long as they learn from them, that’s the main thing.

“No, it isn’t a distraction – you can see that from way he plays. A kid who is strong willed and probably should’ve had a hat-trick but his performance was outstanding. Him and Coutinho looked world class double act.”

Joe Allen added Liverpool’s second goal as they warmed up for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa at Wembley with a win that moves them to within four points of fourth-placed Manchester City.

Newcastle had Moussa Sissoko sent off for two cautions towards the end as they crashed to a fifth consecutive defeat.

Sissoko’s second yellow card could easily have been a straight red for an ugly challenge that bent Lucas Leiva’s leg.

Raheem SterlingGETTY

Raheem Sterling bagged Liverpool's first and was unlucky not to add a second

Sterling however will now face further unwanted scrutiny for his off-the-field antics.

In the video, he appears to inhale the gas, also known as hippy crack, from a balloon at his Southport home in Merseyside, which he shares with childhood sweetheart Paige Lee Hansel, 19.

After inhaling, Sterling turns to the camera with a smile and laughs – but the next time the camera pans to him he appears to be either unconscious or asleep.

Nitrous oxide is a legal high that is becoming increasingly popular in Britain.

Better news for Liverpool was that captain Steve Gerrard and Martin Skrtel – both suspended for the last three games - played the full 90 minutes in a practice match against Shrewsbury’s youngsters at the club’s Melwood’s training ground in a bid to get up to speed ahead of Sunday’s semi-final.

Newcastle boss John Carver was furious his side were denied a clear penalty when Dejan Lovren brought down Ayoze Perez towards the end of the first half.

“The game hinged on a huge decision,” he said. “I don’t want to be seen to be a moaner but it is fact we don’t get big decisions for whatever reasons, it could be me. I have spoken to the referee, but it doesn’t help me.”

He will fine Sissoko, adding: “I am sure there will be some kind of disciplinary procedure. I said before the game we needed to keep 11 players.

"It could have been a straight red, I will be honest, I have said that to Moussa, I am quite straight and I won’t defend anyone if it is indefensible.”

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