Raheem Sterling is dreaming of fulfilling a childhood ambition in this season's FA Cup and walking out under the famous arch in front of a packed Wembley crowd.

Liverpool face Oldham in the fourth round of the competition today at Boundary Park, where Brendan Rodgers' men will look to progress to the last 16.

The Reds went to the national stadium three times in the space of four months in early 2012, following a 16-year absence.

Sterling, who grew up nearby, is eager to make a return to his old stomping ground with Liverpool later this year.

"My school was literally two minutes away from the stadium," he told The Independent. "When it was being built I used to ride around there on my BMX, just circling the area.

"At first there was nothing there, then one day there was an arch and then on it went until it was finished. I never tried to sneak in but there was a little market there on a Sunday. That was the closest I got to it.

"For the first FA Cup final there between Chelsea and Manchester United they gave free tickets to the gifted and talented kids at the school. When I got to the stadium it was just beautiful.

"From that moment, I wanted to play there. It would be a dream come true."

The 18-year-old, who signed a new long-term contract with the club in December last year, has now clocked-up an impressive 34 games in all competitions for the Reds.

In August 2012, he burst onto the first-team scene with an explosive performance against Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City at Anfield.

Reflecting on breaking into the senior side, the winger said: "It was a bit daunting. I don't say much [in the changing room] even now, but then it was pretty scary. You don't even want to look at the other players.

"At first it felt natural to come on and just express myself but now I am expected to be more tactical and think more.

"That is more of a challenge. But I don't model myself on any other footballer. That would be a crime."