Joe Cole implies former Red has improved since leaving Liverpool

Pundit Joe Cole has implied that winger Raheem Sterling has improved his finishing since departing Liverpool and joining Manchester City.

The Reds sold the England international to the Citizens for a transfer fee of £57.33 million back in the summer of 2015.

Sterling scored 23 goals in 129 appearances for Liverpool. However, he has gone to another level since joining Manchester City.

Sterling has found the back of the net 131 times in 339 appearances for the Citizens. Therefore, Cole has praised the 27-year-old for improving as a player.

“He’s developed as a leader,” he told Channel 4’s international football coverage, as quoted by HITC. “We saw that at the Euros. He had a difficult season leading up to it, then he just came alive.

“In big games, the big players, they take the game by the scruff of the neck and they make something happen.

“He’s not a natural finisher. But he has become a goalscorer (since leaving Liverpool) by putting himself in the right positions and working on his technique. He always gets the job done.

“I love watching, Raheem. When he was coming through at Liverpool, I was there, so I saw him emerge into a talent.

“One thing that struck me was his mentality. He worked so hard. People don’t see that and he has become this crucial player for England.”

Anfield Watch Verdict

Sterling was only a youngster (20) when he departed Liverpool. Therefore, he was only going to improve his game over time, which is exactly what has happened.

On other note, we will never forgive Sterling for how he forced his way out of Anfield. The club gave him plenty of opportunity as a young player.

But, going by Sterling's actions, he didn't really seem to appreciate what Liverpool did for him in the early stages of his career.