• Premier League

Sterling: Goal chances for Liverpool made me too excited

Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling admits he has reined in some of his youthful exuberance in order to become a serious striker.

The 20-year-old has scored four goals in eight matches since he was given the responsibility of leading the line against Manchester United in mid-December.

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His equaliser against Chelsea in their 1-1 Capital One Cup semi-final first leg was his seventh of the campaign and he is closing in on the career-best tally of 10 he registered in Liverpool's remarkable goal-scoring spree last season.

Sterling was criticised in his first match in a central role when he missed a simple one-on-one chance with United goalkeeper David de Gea and could easily have scored a hat-trick, but he has worked hard since then.

"It is a role I am learning and adapting to, but that is something if you want to be a good player you have to adapt to different positions, and that is something I am keen on doing," said the England international.

"When I get in front of goal sometimes I get a bit excited thinking I've done it all, but now I am keeping focused and trying to get my game to the next level and chip in with more goals and assists.

"I have personal targets but I don't want to share them in case I don't reach them, but I always set myself goals and standards I want to meet and that is no different this season.

"I don't know about a target-man role, but I like to get on the ball as much as possible. As long as it is not too high in the air I will try to fight for the ball.

"It is good to play with players like Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho, who get on the ball and try to create stuff.

"It is always a joy to be running in and being on the receiving end and trying to finish their great play."

That is exactly what Sterling did with his goal against Chelsea, collecting a pass from Jordan Henderson 40 yards out and out-pacing defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic and centre-back Gary Cahill to shoot past the otherwise outstanding Thibaut Courtois.

"I just remember Jordan passing to me, turning and getting to the edge of the box and thinking 'Shoot' and it was lucky enough to go in the bottom corner," added the youngster.

The second-half performance against Chelsea was arguably Liverpool's best of the season and it gives them increased confidence after going nine matches unbeaten since losing at Old Trafford.

Championship side Bolton are next up in the FA Cup on Saturday before the squad head to Stamford Bridge for their return leg on Tuesday and Sterling is keen to make a big impact now he is refreshed after his winter break.

"I knew I would get loads of stick for being given the break," Sterling, who was given a hard time after alerting England manager Roy Hodgson to his fatigue last year. "But the manager did say at the start of the season that this is what he would do. It was planned to have a break at some point. I have played a lot of minutes for someone my age, but I am not complaining.

"I think it will help me. I am back now, refreshed and ready to go again. I am just focused on trying to help the team as much as possible. It is always good to get a few days off.

"Mentally you feel it. I got a lot of stick about the tired stuff with England so it all came down on me. But it was the manager who makes the decisions. If he says, 'Take a week off', who am I to say no? I am back, ready and focused."

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