Manchester City star agent slams Liverpool ahead of Premier League return to former club

Sterling has enjoyed far more attacking freedom at Man City

RAHEEM STERLING'S development was hindered by Liverpool because Brendan Rodgers played him out of position.

 

Under Rodgers, Sterling often appeared at wing back when Liverpool played three at the back, a far cry from his current winger role at the Etihad.

Sterling's agent Aidy Ward, who played a key role in Sterling's £49million summer transfer to Manchester City, claims the England man is far better off now he has moved ahead of a clash with his former club.

“Moving to City was right for Raheem, even if Liverpool fans don’t want to accept that. At City, he now has a licence to thrill," Ward said.

 

“I don’t know what Raheem will do if he scores [against Liverpool]. If I was him, I’d celebrate like I would if I had scored against any other team. Perhaps he will.

“But that will be because he is happy to have scored for Man City. It will have nothing to do with that fact that it’s against ­Liverpool. 

"Despite all the rubbish he’s had to deal with, Raheem isn’t a vindictive character."

 

Sterling was often deployed as a wing back at Liverpool

Sterling made his desire to move to a bigger club public during his last year at Liverpool, as he wrangled over a new contract, before submitting a transfer request.

His behaviour was unpopular with Reds fans, who heckled him at the unveiling of Liverpool's new kit, before he completed his record transfer.

And if performances are anything to go by, the 20-year-old has settled quickly in Manuel Pellegrini's side, scoring four goals in the Premier League already this season.

"Raheem is in a good place," Ward added.

 

"He is playing with better players for a manager, who gives him the freedom to express himself, and he is improving as a player in a team that is at the top of the Premier League and in the Champions League.

“He has gone up a tier. Manuel Pellegrini has played him in a wide role with the freedom to drift inside and he has also played as a central striker.

“That’s why he scored the first hat-trick of his professional career recently (against Bournemouth) – all of the goals coming in the first half.

“At Liverpool, Raheem was asked to play as a full-back, just like Emre Can was asked to play as a central defender when he is a midfielder. That wasn’t going to help him develop as a player."