Sterling: I studied Suarez and Sturridge
Raheem Sterling analysed teammates Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in order to force his way back into the Liverpool side and kick-start an incredible second half to the current campaign.
The youngster's blistering pace propelled him into the spotlight at the tender age of 17, after he was handed a regular starting berth during the initial months of Brendan Rodgers' Anfield reign.
However, from January 2013 onwards, the winger was used less frequently and began this season watching from the sidelines, until making a second league start against Hull City in December.
Thus began a scintillating run of form which has seen Sterling strike eight times and flourish as part of a Liverpool attack which has devastated defences across the division.
The Reds' No.31 insists time spent out of the starting XI helped teach him vital footballing lessons - and afforded him ample opportunity to study the likes of Suarez and Sturridge up close.
"It's been a great season for us and I think everyone has worked really hard as a group," said Sterling as he collected the Young Player of the Year prize at the club's inaugural awards dinner.
"There's a real togetherness in the squad and I'm just glad to be a part of this great football club. On a personal level, at the start of the season I wasn't playing much, but it's been a real learning curve for me.
"To be able to sit back and learn from the boys, people like Dan and Luis, has been important. To improve my game, I needed to get into the box and score some goals and there are no two better players to learn from than them.
"I really tried to learn my game and I want to thank Brendan and all the staff for helping me to get to where I am today."
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