Raheem: The team is more important
Raheem Sterling is determined to feature more prominently for Liverpool this season – but while the team are picking up points out on the pitch, he's happy to wait patiently for his opportunity.
The 18-year-old has started once in the Barclays Premier League this season, making six substitute appearances in eight fixtures so far.
He's keen to build on an impressive start to his Liverpool career, which saw him play 36 times in all competitions throughout the 2012-13 campaign.
However, Sterling insists that the team's success comes before any individual goals of his own.
"I've not played as much as I'd have liked to, but the team are doing well and that's the most important thing at this moment in time," he told Liverpoolfc.com.
"Hopefully I'll get my chance and hopefully I'll take it. But the team has been great so far this season.
"My contribution has been coming off the bench and having to defend more than I'm used to. But as long as the team is winning, that's the most important thing. I'm not in a rush."
Sterling knows the best place for him to force his way into Brendan Rodgers' plans is out on the training pitches at Melwood.
The Academy graduate also knows he must make every session count - and he's relishing working alongside the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez as he goes about trying to catch the manager's eye.
"Every day we have training, so that helps you [make an impression]," said Sterling. "To get in your favourite position on a matchday, to get a sub appearance you need to show the manager there's something special. You've just got to work hard in training.
"I can definitely learn from Sturridge and Suarez. They've taken this season by storm and their link-up play feels like they've been playing together for a good few years now. But it's only been a short amount of time and I'm sure as time goes on they'll improve together.
"I haven't had much of a chance to [play alongside them] this season, but in training you can see what they are both about. They're quick, sharp and they play one-twos around the edge of the box.
"They're both clinical and both really good players. So I'm really looking forward to playing with them."
Sterling operated in the right wing-back position in his first league start of the season against Crystal Palace on October 5 at Anfield.
It was an altogether different experience for the young winger - but he appeared to adjust to the role well, bursting forward to win a penalty, which Steven Gerrard calmly converted to make it 3-0.
"As a professional footballer you've got to learn to play in a few different positions," said Sterling.
"I've had to play right wing-back a few times this season. It's not my favourite position, but if the team ask me to do a job, then no problem. I'm more than comfortable and happy to play there.
"The manager said this formation [3-5-2] suits the players we have and it does because we've got two full-backs in Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique, who can fly down the wings on both sides.
"Obviously they can defend as well, so it suits the players who we have fit and ready at the moment.
"If one of the wing-backs is not fully fit, I'm more than happy to fill that role. I've got to do a lot more defending than usual. But even before that I was defending quite a bit. Now, if you come across a tricky winger, it's even more defending."