How Raheem Sterling transformed from raw talent at Liverpool to Man City superstar
RAHEEM STERLING admits he is almost unrecognisable from the player who left Liverpool four years ago.
The England ace was a precocious talent at Anfield and was named European Golden Boy in December 2014.
These days, though, he is more of a Goal-den Boy for Manchester City and the Three Lions.
He scored 31 times for club and country last season and is on course to beat that tally this term with 18 already to his name.
There is no doubt the 24-year-old has matured since moving to the Etihad in July 2015.
But he has vowed to continue to grow in the next few years — with the Ballon d’Or award very much in his sights.
Looking back on how he has changed since his days on Merseyside, Sterling told Sport360: “I think I was a bit raw there.
“It’s like anything, it was my first time as a professional and you learn things and you adapt to things.
“I’d say one difference is just to believe in myself.
“Coming off the back of two Premier League titles and the battles, I think that gives anybody confidence and belief. Also, at Liverpool when I was on the ball, I’d say I was always going down the line, then crossing the ball and then doing a little trick.
“Now it’s trying to pick those moments on a regular basis where I try to affect the game for my team.
“Like scoring goals, yes. That’s what I’ve been trying to do over the past few years. Goals, for sure, make a big difference.”
Learning how to affect a game is one way Sterling has developed, particularly in 3½ years under Pep Guardiola.
He added: “I don’t want to be having bad games but if you can chip in and contribute with goals then you are an important player.
“You can have a bad game but then score the winner and you’ve had a very good game after that. That’s something I have learnt.
“I’ve watched games in the past and seen a player have a very bad game and then he’s scored the winner. The next day he’s the hero.”
Sterling keeps his feet on the ground despite his outstanding form for both City and England in the last couple of years.
He could go down in City folklore once again today if he can help smash their Anfield hoodoo, which has seen them win only once there in 38 years.
But he said: “I’m no hero. Nah. It’s an amazing moment for me, for football, but I just need to keep that humbleness and keep going.
“It’s always nice to hear good things from people. But it’s also like in the past when you hear the bad stuff — when you get to a place when you are maturing, then you understand not to take everything what everyone says to heart. You just have to continue going in the same way you have over the past couple of years.
“Stay on the same path, keep that humbleness and keep going onwards.”
Sterling is alongside the biggest names in the game on the shortlist for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
But just being in the top few is not enough for the forward, because he wants to go up and collect it one day.
He said: “It’s a good feeling. But it’s not the last time I’m looking to be nominated, you know.
“I will try to work in silence, keep going, keep trying to win trophies and the rest will take care of itself.
“For sure, I want my name up there. Whatever age group I’ve been at — under-15s, 16s, 17s and 18s — I’ve been one of the best players, so it’s no different now.” Sterling knows the way that dream will come true is if he keeps producing himself and helping City win trophies.
He added: “That’s everyone’s dream but you have to keep working hard and keep trying to win trophies for your team, because that’s what gets you there.
“You have to keep producing week in, week out.
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“It’s not good to perform just for six months, you have to do it for the whole calendar year.
“I’m in a good place mentally and I just need to stay focused, be humble and keep working.
“The consistency is a key part of all this, to make sure I keep on top of things. Each season I just want to improve and I think that improvement is to do it on a consistent basis for longer periods of time.”