Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has revealed how the experience of playing alongside Steven Gerrard at Liverpool inspired him to improve on and off the pitch.
Sterling made his professional debut for Liverpool in 2012 when Gerrard was club captain, and went on to establish himself as a first-team regular before leaving for Manchester City in 2015.
The 24-year-old has gone from strength-to-strength at City and is a contender for this season's PFA Players' Player of the Year award, while he has also been a leading figure in attempts to tackle racism within the sport.
"Coming through at Liverpool I had people around me like Steven Gerrard that I looked up to," Sterling said after receiving the Integrity and Impact award at the BT Sport Industry Awards on Thursday.
"Looking at him and thinking what can I do within myself to be half the person and player he was.
"You take little things and each year and day you try to develop and become better, not just on the field but off it as well."
Sterling enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, contributing 18 goals and 15 assists as City romped to the Premier League title, setting a record points total.
He is on course to match or better those numbers this season, having scored 17 goals and made 12 assists in the league with three games remaining, which City can retain the title by winning all of.
City maintained control of the title race by winning 2-0 at Manchester United on Wednesday, a game that Sterling admits he will look back on fondly.
"It is exciting to be fair," Sterling said. "Especially before the game yesterday you know it's any little slip and you've got the Liverpool guys that can go on top of you.
"I don't want that... so you try to do your best to make sure you win the game.
"But it's enjoyable and that's what I became a professional football player for, moments like this. Win or lose it, you're still gonna look back on it and just be grateful for these unbelievable moments.
Vewceim
0
Lovely words by Stevie G
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when u die u don't go to the hospital anyways
rahadiktuy
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Amen!!!!!! he will. never find a trophyless history team that never wins in modern times [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Just did enough to win 1 Champions League trophy ๐คซ Where's yours?
Vewceim
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thanks to dubai oil money
exactly we don't even have that and look at us imagine them without it
Vewceim
1
yes but he's obviously forgotten about his roots hasn't he he now hates lfc obviously since he's doing better at city but never forget ur roots
Shadownet
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u will never find a club like liverpool
Amen!!!!!! he will. never find a trophyless history team that never wins in modern times [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
lukzlat910
1
Lovely words by Stevie G
alvyn123
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do you realy know what legend means?
I should be asking you this question...how can you say sterling is a legend at LIVERPOOL??? like are you alright???
bozamrt
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He was at Liverpool and won nothing, he wanted better chance at trophies and he got that
sterling should go to the club that can win champions league,becouse shitty will never ever win champions league๐๐
dotabcmsuz
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you better go back home ynwa
bozamrt
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legend in Liverpool??? you are not correct !!!
do you realy know what legend means?
alvyn123
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both of them are legend.
legend in Liverpool??? you are not correct !!!
fouaemnuy
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tomorrow night get injured, out rest of the season
niuabeinr
2
I love you Sterling
Cadklmpr
0
u will never find a club like liverpool
thanks to dubai oil money
sayantanpatra
3
But Pep Guardiola has changed Sterling completely.... ๐๐๐ He has changed Sterling's world... ๐
MN9
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what do u repaid him for to leave Anfield cos u think we can't win trophies, just u knw we never give up & wen pep leave mancity u gonna need us hope he take u along as a son
Its his choice man even coutinho , suarez did it
laehcim
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what do u repaid him for to leave Anfield cos u think we can't win trophies, just u knw we never give up & wen pep leave mancity u gonna need us hope he take u along as a son
Veoademtyz
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Just a myth
Martorella
1
both of them are legend.
boycott
1
Well done to him ๐Good for him ๐๐พ
satisfied
1
GOOD I AM HAPPY FOR HIM BECAUSE OF THAT ALWAYS SPEAKING THE TRUTH
diubcemz
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Leon Bailey his the next best
Divyansh26
4
Not only him but Coutinho also came to Liverpool and learned a lot from him(Gerrard)and I remember Gerrard said Coutinho can carry his legacy forward and Coutinho was fabulous too they learned a lot from this player but they never learned one thing which is honesty and love for the club.Coutinho and Sterling alongside Luis left us for trophies and they won too but Had they been at the club we would have won accolades too we were never even able to Fill Luis space in the team we signed Balotelli,Benteke,Lambert but they were never good these players might have learned a lot from Gerrard but they weren't loyal they might accept that Liverpool gave them everything but they weren't loyal ........It might not be bizzare to see if Raheem leaves Manchester city one day for a Spanish Club to win UCLs then cause City hasn't won yet(don't get angry Citizens for what I am saying is truth it happened to us So it can happen with you 2)he might be very humble but I don't think City is his dream club If This club doesn't achieve success at Europe simple ........he did with us and can did the same with Cityzens too .......
elMago21city
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u will never find a club like liverpool
He was at Liverpool and won nothing, he wanted better chance at trophies and he got that
kimdempz
3
u will never find a club like liverpool
Ananik
2
Well good for u, From Liverpool fun, and Iโm sure u will reach milestone in future