Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has said that Raheem Sterling has justified his decision to leave the club and join Manchester City three years ago.
The England international was heavily criticised following his £49m transfer down the M62 in 2015, having asked for a move away from Anfield.
Sterling has gone on to win the Premier League and EFL Cup during his time at the Etihad Stadium, playing a key role in last term's historic title success.
On the back of signing a new long-term deal with the Citizens, worth a reported £300,000 a week, Carragher has suggested that the 23-year-old is worth every penny that he earns.
"No matter how it came about - or how unpalatable to Liverpool supporters to lose such an important player - there is no-one who can look at how his career has progressed and say he made the wrong decision," he told The Telegraph.
"He left for footballing reasons given where Liverpool stood at the time and the direction City were heading. Raheem was guaranteed to compete for the Premier League and Champions League every season, and work under one of the best managers of all-time.
"Since Pep Guardiola arrived, Raheem's game has gone up a level so he now ranks alongside Harry Kane as England's best player. The difference is Kane has taken club form on to the international stage. Raheem's next challenge is to make his recent performance against Spain a regular occurrence for England."
Sterling has scored six goals and has a further five assists in 14 appearances for Man City this season.
Daniel Lewis
