Tobi Ijalana
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.
This is coming after Sterling received the Integrity and Impact award at the BT Sport Industry Awards on Thursday.
“Coming through at Liverpool I had people around me like Steven Gerrard that I looked up to. 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,” he said.
Speaking on different social issues including racism, he said he signed a manifesto earlier in the week where he said clubs should be handed automatic nine-point deductions and ordered to play three games behind closed doors if their supporters indulged in racist behaviour.
Sterling’s last season’s performance was outstanding, scoring 18 goals and 15 assists for Man City while they also won the Premier League title.
Sterling has been in unstoppable form for Manchester City this season having scored 17 goals and made 12 assists in the league with three games remaining, which City can retain if they win all.
He made his professional debut for Liverpool in 2012 when Gerrard was club captain. City maintained control of the title race by winning 2-0 at Manchester United on Wednesday, a game that Sterling admits was threatening.
