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You won’t catch Raheem Sterling reliving his highlights from the Liverpool resurgence he has helped to spearhead.

The gifted Reds youngster, who scored his 10th goal of the campaign in Sunday’s vital league victory at Southampton, is more interested in the ones that got away.

There is no basking in the glory of his immense contribution to a season-transforming run of just one defeat in 18 matches ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League clash with Besiktas in Istanbul.

Sterling is his own biggest critic and has a burning desire to raise the bar even higher. He’s been putting in the extra hours on the training ground in a bid to further bolster his strike rate.

I am very critical of myself and always look at what I can improve on - Sterling

“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.

“Any chance I get I’m looking to improve. I get five balls on my left side and five on my right side. How many go in? On the right I score three or four, left side only one or two.

“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.”

I was devastated after the defeat to Manchester United

December’s chastening 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford proved to be a defining afternoon both for Sterling and Liverpool.

Asked to play as a central striker by Brendan Rodgers, the 20-year-old endured a tough afternoon as he spurned a host of gilt-edged chances.

However, amidst the doom and gloom there was hope. His relentless pressing and intelligent movement gave Liverpool’s attacking play the kind of spark they had lacked during the prolonged absence of Daniel Sturridge in the first half of the campaign.

It was an experiment the manager stuck with and Sterling – desperate to make amends – repaid that faith with a classy double in the Capital One Cup win over Bournemouth three days later.

Sterling, who adjusted expertly to the demands of his new role, has since made a habit of tormenting defenders and Liverpool’s revival has gathered pace.

“That day for me against United was massive,” he said.

“I had a few chances to win us the game and I missed them. I was devastated after.

“Everyone at this football club wanted to win that game. It was a real low.

“I went home and watched the clips over and over again, just to see what I could have done better. I said to myself the next time I get into that position that I should just stay calm.

“When the manager told me I was playing up front the next game against Bournemouth as well I was really focused. Luckily enough, I got two goals.

“Even in the defeat to United, the manager said that you could see our identity coming back. We started playing with a lot more authority than earlier in the season. We created a lot more chances.

“I’m not saying it had anything to do with me being up front but he did say we were a lot more fluent. After such a disappointing day, it’s always nice to hear those things.

“It’s nice playing up front because you don’t have to do as much defending – I’m only joking! When I was up there I was just happy to do a job for the team.”

Our main aim is to get to a final and win something we deserve

The return to fitness of Sturridge has eased the burden on Sterling but his importance to Rodgers’ side remains huge.

The clash with Besiktas at the Ataturk Stadium will be his 38th appearance of the season – equalling the total number of games he played in the whole of last term.

Talks over a new long-term contract have dragged on but Sterling, whose current deal runs until 2017, insists he hasn’t been unsettled by all the speculation over his future and reiterated that he’s happy at Anfield.

He’s focused on keeping Liverpool on course for their twin targets of securing a Champions League spot and lifting some silverware.

“I speak to my representative every day and he has just told me to concentrate on playing football and him and the club will deal with it,” he said.

“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.

“It would be massive if we could win something this season, especially after coming so close last year and then not getting anything for it.

“We were a bit disappointed at the start of the season when things didn’t go our way, but we regrouped and we have been working really hard to try and get something at the end of the season.

“That is our main aim: to get to a final and win something that we deserve.”

This is the stage that I need to start to perform on

Sterling was just 10 years old when Liverpool enjoyed arguably their greatest triumph with the miraculous comeback to beat AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final.

Now he will get the opportunity to grace the same venue as the Reds return to the Ataturk Stadium.

Sterling has yet to score in European action and he’s keen to put that right against Slaven Bilic’s side as Liverpool seek to build on their 1-0 lead from the first leg.

“I just watched the game in 2005 at home near Wembley,” he added.

“I remember the Gerrard header but I can’t remember too much else about it.

“Hopefully I can get a chance in this game and I will be able to get a nice tap in. This is the stage that I need to start to perform on. But if I'm not scoring and the team is doing well, I’m happy with that.”