Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling has revealed that his devotion to the game over the past year has been a key factor in his upturn in form.

Sterling made an impact at the Reds in the 2012-13 season and earned a call-up to the England squad at the age of 17, making his debut in a friendly against Sweden.

The winger faded out of the Liverpool team later in that campaign, but responded with a strong work ethic to become an integral part of Brendan Rodgers's side that finished second in the Premier League last season.

Sterling told The Mirror: "I try to block everything out. I still see my friends on days off, but I have tried to just live, sleep and eat football as the manager has told me to do.

"Going into training each day, coming home and going back to training. That's been it over the last 12 months. I have made sacrifices and that has been a huge step forward. That's one of the main reasons my form improved."

Sterling has scored twice in three Premier League matches for the Reds this season.