‘It was about being the best he can be’: Rodgers lifts lid on Sterling’s move to Man City
Brendan Rodgers has revealed Raheem Sterling left Liverpool for Manchester City in 2015 to ‘be the best player he could be.’
Rodgers, now Leicester manager, gave Sterling his debut at the age of 17 in August 2012, ironically against City at Anfield.
After wowing supporters with his progress, Sterling pushed for a move away after three years in the first-team and got his wish as he moved to the Etihad for £49m.
Brendan Rodgers has backed Raheem Sterling’s reasoning for leaving Liverpool in 2015
Rodgers gave Sterling his debut at Liverpool as a 17-year-old in the summer of 2012
Despite murmurs that money played a role in Sterling’s decision to swap Liverpool for Manchester, Rodgers has explained why the England international wanted a transfer away.
‘For Raheem, it was never about money,’ Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo.
‘If it was about money, he could have stayed at Liverpool. It was about being the best he can be.
‘In that moment in time, there was an opportunity to go to where they had top-class players. He’s gone in there and developed and become a winner, which is clear to see now in his game.
Sterling burst onto the scene at Anfield but eventually left Anfield for Manchester City
‘I look at Pep’s team and it’s not the same if he’s not in it. What a testament that is to a young English player.
‘What I loved about Raheem was that, for a young boy, he knew what he wanted to be.’
Since his move to City, Sterling has won two Premier League titles and emerged into one of the most dazzling attackers in the Premier League, particularly since Pep Guardiola arrived as manager in 2016.
Sterling has progressed into a key player for Man City under Pep Guardiola’s management
Rodgers’ comments come after Sterling said in an Instagram video yesterday: ‘Would I ever go back to Liverpool? To be honest with you I love Liverpool.
‘Don’t get it twisted, they are always in my heart. It’s a team that done a lot for me growing up so…’
Before this season’s suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic, Sterling had scored 11 goals in 24 Premier League appearances.
