Raheem Sterling Ignoring Contract Criticism Ahead of Summer Talks

With the long term futures of Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and now Jordan Henderson wrapped up, the focus will no doubt be doubled up in the coming weeks on contract rebel Raheem Sterling, but in a recent interview, the Reds winger reiterated that he’s not going to let it throw him for a loop.

“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,” said the 20-year old when asked about being criticized by sections of the Liverpool support and in the media. “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.”

Reds duo Jordon Ibe and Martin Skrtel also look set for new deals as the Anfield outfit look to stabalize their most valuable and promising players before a summer that’s sure to be filled with activity, but Sterling won’t resume talks with the Reds hierarchy until the summer. The England man, who is the clubs top scorer with 11-goals to his name so far this year, has instead decided to focus on his football — something he’s far more interested in talking about.

“I set targets for myself at the start of the season and I’m probably a few goals behind where I wanted to be. 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,” he mused. “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. his is the world that we live in. You look at the players like Ronaldo and these players are critical on themselves. These are the people that you need to idolise and look up to.”