Raheem Sterling: 'Spell out of the side improved my confidence'

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling has claimed that a spell out of the first team squad earlier in the season has helped him become a more confident player.

Despite bursting onto the scene with some eye-catching displays in the previous season, Sterling was used sparingly by manager Brendan Rodgers at the beginning of the current campaign before forcing his way back into the team.

The 19-year-old admits that a period out of the side caused him to change his mentality and that he has changed the way he approaches the game now.

"I realised I need to stop being shy amongst the senior boys," Sterling told The Telegraph.

"The best way of proving yourself is on the pitch. I had to be more confident. I wasn't confident enough to have a shot myself and instead I'd pass it to someone like [Luis] Suarez.

"I just said to myself that I had to step up and start running at defenders again; taking responsibility. I've also had the chance to do that week in, week out. I can feel a bit of momentum now."

Sterling is expected to start when Liverpool take on Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday.