20-year-old Raheem Sterling insisted Liverpool are displaying their best after a rocky start to the 2014-15 season, as they marked a statement of intent with their 2-0 win at Southampton.

Sterling scored the second goal of the game, taking advantage of Matt Targett's poor clearance to side-foot a finish through a number of defenders and past Fraser Forster to seal the three points in the final stages, after Philippe Coutinho's sensational dipping strike handed Brendan Rodgers' side an early initiative.

The win takes Liverpool closer to their goal of acquiring Champions League football for next season, as they moved to within two points of 4th place and having gone 10 games unbeaten in the Premier League, Sterling insisted that his teammates are really beginning to flex their muscles.

"It's a great win for us. We knew we had to come here and do the job and we did that," Sterling told the Liverpool Echo. "The boys defended really well and we took our chances when they came.

"It's always good to get on the scoresheet and it was especially pleasing that it was the goal that killed the game off.

"We knew we were top four material from the start of the season. Obviously it didn't go as planned at the start but now we're showing what we can do.

"Credit to the boys, we just need to keep performing and keep fighting and then we'll definitely get to where we want to be. All the boys are really up for it. Everyone is fighting hard for the team and defending with their lives."

Sterling sealed the three points with a clever finish, taking his tally this season up to six in the league, but it was Coutinho who took the plaudits. The Brazilian's virtually unstoppable strike caught everyone by surprise, with Sterling even admitting he could barely believe his own eyes.

"It was a great strike from Philippe," he said. "When he picked the ball up, he had nothing else on his mind. I was on and I was crying out for a pass, but credit to him. It was a great finish.

"Not many players in the world can score a goal like that. Phil has got a great eye for a pass but you can see he's adding more goals to his game, which is great to see."

Whilst the Reds were clinical going forward, they had to ensure they remained solid at the back - with Southampton having piled the pressure on Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal. But for a fifth successive game, the rejuvenated Belgian kept another shut-out - the first time the Merseyside club have done so since 1985, and Sterling had plenty of praise for his goalkeeper.

"It's huge credit to Simon because he's been magnificent," Sterling added. "He made some great saves and commanded his box well. Hopefully he can continue that form and we can keep winning games."

The Jamaican-born English international has now scored seven goals in 31 games in all competitions so far this season after his Saints strike, as he becomes an increasingly important player to Rodgers' Liverpool.

The 20-year-old has been embroiled in contract talks with the club for some time over extending his existing deal, but whilst the tabloids reports talks are stalling - Sterling was keen to add that he's happy at Anfield, and he'll be looking to stay.

"We're working on it and hopefully it will be sorted soon," Sterling said.

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About the author
Charlie Malam
Digital Sports Writer at the Daily Express. First-class Staffordshire University Sports Journalism graduate. Formerly VAVEL UK's Liverpool FC editor and Deputy Editor-in-Chief. Contributor since June 2014.