Liverpool star Raheem Sterling says he has turned a deaf ear to criticism from the club’s own fans over his contract stand-off.
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The 20-year-old reportedly turned down a £90k-a-week at Anfield and is now the subject of rival Premier League interest.
Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are all believed to be interested in the England international, according to The Mirror.
The report suggests Sterling also has interest coming from outside England, with La Liga giants Real Madrid believed to be circling.
Sterling has become the subject of abuse from some Liverpool fans following his non-committal stance at Anfield, but the gifted youngster told BT Sport he takes no notice of the controversy surrounding him.
“Everyone has their opinion on me at this moment in time but I’m just a kid who loves to play football and to try and improve every day and be the best I can be,” Sterling is quoted as saying by The Mirror.
“It just goes in one ear and goes out the other. I don’t read anything, don’t look at anything and, for me, it’s all football. I’m genuinely focused on doing my best for this football club.”
Sterling admits he has not matched the form that saw him help Liverpool to within a whisker of the Premier League title last season, and says his 11 goals this season is well below the target he had set before the beginning of the 2014/15 campaign.
“I set targets for myself at the start of the season and I’m probably a few goals behind where I wanted to be,” Sterling said.
“I’m just taking it in my stride and hopefully in these last few games, the run-in until the end of the season, I can kick on again. I’m still learning and developing so only time will tell.
“I’m my own biggest critic. I don’t need anyone to tell me when I’ve played badly. I know when I’ve done bad, I’m always looking where I could have done better or scored an extra goal.”
Sterling reportedly has two years remaining on his current deal, and Liverpool may have to consider selling the youngster to rid itself of the risk of losing him as a free agent.
The youngster’s current deal is believed to be worth £35k-a-week.
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