Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling has explained how manager Brendan Rodgers turned him into a first-team star, claiming the boss has taught him to "live, eat and sleep football".
The 19-year-old versatile midfielder joined the Anfield academy from QPR in 2010 after the then manager Rafa Benitez outbid other Premier League giants for his services – including Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham.
Sterling was then already considered one of the next big things to emerge from the English academy despite being only 15 years old but at the same time his development into a first-team professional was under scrutiny due to his behaviour following a difficult childhood.
However, Rodgers has managed to turn him into a world class star, taking special care of him since the start of his career in the first team.
"He [Rodgers] has taught me to play in numerous different positions and adapt to different positions, being able to work and be effective in each of them," Sterling said, according to Liverpool's official website.
"The best piece of advice I've been given is to live, eat and sleep football. It was great advice given to me by the manager, and it has helped me going forward."
Sterling become the second-youngest player ever to play for the club, at the age of 17 years and 107 days, when he made his debut for Liverpool in 2012 during a game against Wigan Athletic and has since developed little by little into one of the most important assets in the current squad.
After Rodgers gave him an important role during the second part of the last campaign, with Liverpool closing the Premier League title, he even earned a place in England's World Cup squad.
When asked about his target in five years time, he said: "Hopefully winning trophies with Liverpool, doing well for England and trying to be at the peak of my game at that time."
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