Younger footballers can often let the fame and money get to their head. That was certainly Brendan Rodgers worry when he handed Raheem Sterling a bumper new contract back in December 2012.

Ever since, the now 20-year-old has continued to repay his manager. Knowing full well that the Northern Irishman gave him a fantastic opportunity, which he has grasped fully, Sterling will always be thankful to Rodgers.

But whilst Sterling, winner of the 2014 European Golden Boy award, has risen in prominence on Merseyside - with Spanish giants Real Madrid reportedly sniffing arond him - the explosive winger remains grounded.

His own biggest critic, Sterling admits that he's working harder and harder to improve his all-round game, and there's one particular side of his game that he's really working on this season.

"I feel my own form has been a bit stop-start," he said. "For a young player I suppose that’s natural, but if I want to get my game to the next level then I need to be consistent week in, week out.

"If I am not scoring, I need to be assisting a goal or having a strong effect on the game. That is something I am working on.

"I am very critical of myself and always look at what I can improve on. At this moment in time that’s my finishing – no-one else has to tell me.

Sterling has gone as far as to stay behind in training, practicing shooting by himself so that he can apply the finishing touches in games for real.

"I get five balls on my left side and five on my right side. On my right I score three or four, on my left two or one.

"So any chance I get I am looking to improve.

The 20-year-old has scored 10 goals in all competitions this season, seven of which have come since a bold move from Rodgers to employ him up-top alone against Manchester United.

On the day, the decision was not particularly prolific. As Sterling admits himself, their 3-0 loss at Old Trafford back in mid-December could well have been different had he performed better in front of goal.

"United was a low day, definitely," Sterling says. "Because everyone at this football wants to win those type of games and I missed the chances that would have helped us do that,” said Sterling.

"That day was massive for me. I was devastated afterwards. I went home and the next day I watched the clips over and over again, I can’t tell you how many times I watched them, just to see what I could have done better.

"I am very critical of myself and always look at what I can improve on. At this moment in time that is my finishing and no one has to tell me. When I get a chance to practice, I do.

But since that game, Sterling's work on the training ground has began to pay dividends. Only a couple of days later, he scored twice against Bournemouth in the Capital One Cup - whilst his effort against Burnley was the one that really got his improvement underway, as he rounded Tom Heaton before scoring the crucial winning goal. 

"I said to myself the next time I get into that position (like I did against United) that I should just stay calm if that chance came along," said Sterling.

"I would not normally watch the goals that I have scored over and over. I like to see what I can improve on instead."

"I’ve got 10 goals this season but I could easily have had 15 goals if I’d taken half my chances and been a bit more relaxed. That is something that I am working on every day to become a better finisher. When the penny drops hopefully that will improve my game."

But with the season steadily entering the final stretch, the press has turned their attentions to Sterling's contract situations. The 20-year-old's representatives and the club have to strike a deal, as they negotiate an improved contract to the current deal that runs out in two years.

Boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed that the club are willing to reward the youngster's performances, but Sterling is only concentrating on each game.

"I speak to my representative every day and he has just told me to concentrate on playing football, that he and the club will deal with it," added Sterling.

"That is the most important thing. I am concentrating on winning games for Liverpool and hopefully it will be done soon. I am happy playing football and I am trying to do my best for this football club."