Former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed the real reason why Raheem Sterling left the Reds for Manchester City. The 25-year-old winger has often come under scrutiny with some Red fans suggesting that he joined the Citizens for money, a claim the player's old boss has debunked.
After featuring in Liverpool's memorable 2013-2014 season and winning the 2014 Golden Boy Award, Sterling was drawn into a long contract dispute with the Anfield club. Ultimately, the England international opted for a move to Manchester City in July 2015 in a transfer worth £49 million, becoming the most-expensive British player at the time. The five-year deal saw him earn for a weekly salary of £200,000 - twice the amount he was reportedly negotiating for at his old club.
It has been almost five years since Sterling departed from Liverpool and the winger has been a prominent figure in the success enjoyed by Manchester City following his arrival. Now ranked among the best players in the Premier League, the 25-year-old forward has won two league titles, two FA Cups and three League Cups with the Citizens.
Speaking to Liverpool Echo, Sterling's old boss Brendan Rodgers stated that his former prodigy was not motivated to move across town because of money but, instead, his desire to become the best in the Premiership led him into Pep Guardiola's side.
"For Raheem, it was never about money. If it was about money he could have stayed at Liverpool. It was about being the best he can be," he declared.
"In that moment in time, there was an opportunity to go to Manchester City where they had top-class players. He's gone in there and developed and become a winner, which is clear to see now in his game.
"I look at Pep's team and it's not the same if he's not in it. What a testament that is to a young English player. What I loved about Raheem was that, for a young boy, he knew what he wanted to be.
"When I ask young players what is it that they want to achieve, he wanted to be one of the best players in the world, at that age. That was where he was unique, because sometimes the British players may not have that ambition. But that was all he wanted to be."
This season, Sterling has scored 11 goals and has assisted one in 24 Premier League appearances.
