Raheem Sterling 'has gone up a tier' by joining Manchester City from Liverpool, according to the England international's agent Aidy Ward.

The 20-year-old completed a £50m move to the Etihad Stadium in the summer, which made him the most expensive English footballer in history.

Many Liverpool fans were angered by the forward's acrimonious departure and Sterling received a flurry of criticism for his perceived eagerness to leave Anfield.

But Ward, who previously stated Sterling would not stay at Liverpool even if he was offered £900,000-a-week, is adamant that his client made the right decision to leave.

"Moving to City was right for Raheem, even if Liverpool fans don’t want to accept that," Ward told the Mirror. "At City, he now has a licence to thrill."

Ward also claimed that Sterling was misused by Liverpool but believes the forward is now being given a chance to attack by his new employers.

"At Liverpool, Raheem was asked to play as a full-back, just like Emre Can was asked to play as a central defender when he is a midfielder. That wasn’t going to help him develop as a player.

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"He has gone up a tier. Manuel Pellegrini has played him in a wide role with the freedom to drift inside and he has also played as a central striker."

Sterling has scored four goals in 11 Premier League appearance for City this season and is expected to start when they host Liverpool on Saturday evening.