Raheem Sterling has acknowledged the negative effect pressure from the Liverpool fans had on the side as their Premier League title hopes fell off the rails in 2014.
Manchester City took advantage of the Reds’ loss to Chelsea and infamous 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace in the closing weeks of that season to complete a dramatic turnaround and win the title.
Liverpool are once again leading the charge for the Premier League, holding the most slender of leads over City in the table with ten games to go.
Sterling, now on the other side of that duel having left Anfield in 2015, admits that the pressure of performing in front of the Liverpool faithful contributed to the side’s late-season collapse.
“When I was there I did feel a lot more pressure than when I’m here, with match days and the fans,” Sterling told Sky Sports.
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”I think that they get to us a little bit. We were in control and we had the opportunity to see it through but we didn’t do that.
“Here we’re completely focused on each game and trying to win each game as it comes. It’s a complete different scenario from last year — last year we were a bit more comfortable towards this point of the season.
“They’ve been playing some good football at times but we’re confident in ourselves and we’ve got the belief.
“This year it’s a complete turnaround and we’re the ones who are chasing. It’s really close at the moment but I have full belief in the squad.”