“Sterling is normally the best player on the pitch”

Liverpool attacking midfielder Suso says Raheem Sterling has had the perfect environment for his ever-improving career to flourish.

LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 31, 2014: Liverpool's Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring the first goal against Tottenham Hotspur with team-mates Alberto Moreno and Joe Allen during the Premier League match at White Hart Lane. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Suso, 20, was discussing Sterling’s phenomenal rise to first-team mainstay over the last season and having played together at Under-18s level for Liverpool, says he is not surprised by the England international’s rise.

He told the club’s official website, “I remember the first year I came when I was at the Academy in the reserve team. He was in the U18s team and he played some really good games. Obviously he was really young at just 16 but you could see he had the quality to be a good player.

“Now he is in the first team you can see he has improved a lot and he is still improving and every time you see him play, he is normally the best player on the pitch.”

Furthermore, Sterling’s international career, with nine caps to his name, is proving to be one of the few positives amongst the England national team in recent months.

Suso continued, “He was man of the match for England against Norway and it’s really nice to see how he has grown playing alongside him.”

Sterling has begun adding more goals to his game and his second of the season— Liverpool’s first against Tottenham last Sunday — got the ball rolling on an impressive 3-0 victory for the Reds.

HARVARD, USA - Friday, July 25, 2014: Liverpool's 'Suso' Jesus Joaquin Fernandez Saenz De La Torre and Raheem Sterling during a preseason training session at the Harvard Stadium in Boston on day five of the club's USA Tour. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Still only 19-years-old, Sterling has already made 80 appearances for Liverpool’s first-team, scoring 14 goals.

“He is a really nice lad as well because he always listens to you every time you talk with him and if has to learn something he learns it,” Suso added. “He is a fantastic boy to be honest.

“I think when you train with good players you have the perfect atmosphere to become a good player and improve.”

How big a part could Sterling play in Liverpool’s success this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below, or on Twitter @thisisanfield.