Speedster enjoyed an eye-catching campaign for the Reds last time out.
Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts
Liverpool youngster Raheem Sterling has admitted that he will have to start from scratch again next season under Reds head coach Brendan Rodgers, despite his outstanding displays for the Merseyside giants in the previous campaign, reports the Daily Mail.
The England international enjoyed a breakthrough season under the guidance of Rodgers last time out, being selected by the then new Liverpool boss to feature in many of the club’s fixtures in the first half of the 2012/13 campaign, before injury brought a premature end to his year.
However, the exciting 18-year-old still managed to take part in an impressive 36 fixtures in total in all competitions for Liverpool last season, including making 24 Premier League appearances for the club, and scoring his first two goals for the Reds in the process against Reading and Sunderland in the top flight.
But with the wide man’s form suffering due to the injury he picked up at the turn of the year, Sterling was then shielded by Rodgers for the remainder of the campaign, with the Northern Irishman hoping that by protecting his youngster, Sterling will come back fitter and stronger in both preseason and then for the start of the new Premier League season.
“There’s still a lot of work to be done which I thought I should’ve done last season only for my injury,” said Sterling.
“I’m just looking forward to working hard in training and in games to try and show the manager what I can do to try and cement a place.
“Last season was a good start. The manager gave me the chance to go out on the pitch and show what I can do but then my injury started kicking in and my performances weren’t the best. It was obviously taking a toll on me so the manager took me out to protect me.
“It was also to get me ready for the new season. I’m not really thinking about (raised expectations). As young lad I just have to go out there and play my game. People are going to be expecting things from me now but I’m not going to put pressure on myself.
“I’m just going to go out there and do my best for myself and the team.”