Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/542972
54 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 19 JULY 2015 Sport FOOTBALL Sterling admits he is 'disappointed' with manner of Liverpool departure Raheem Sterling says he is disappointed with how he left Liverpool – but wanted to join Manchester City to win trophies THE England international com- pleted a £49 million move to Man- chester City this week but was criticised for the way the transfer came about. Sterling rejected a contract ex- tension with Liverpool and he and his agent Aidy Ward publicly stat- ed the player's desire not to sign a new deal at Anfield. As City's interest emerged, Ster- ling then missed two days of pre- season training due to illness and reportedly told Reds boss Brendan Rodgers he didn't want to play for him or go on the club's pre-season tour. "I was a bit disappointed how I left," Sterling said ahead of Man City's friendly with Melbourne City. "That was the main problem I've had with the situation – how I've left it with Liverpool. "I'm good with everyone at the football club, the manager, the players and I wish them well for the new season. "But it was really disappointing how it did finish off." However, Sterling says he was determined to join City as soon as he knew they were targeting him. The 20-year-old linked up with his new team-mates on their pre- season tour in Australia and is ad- amant he's made the right move. "From the first moment I heard City were interested in me [I want- ed to join], purely because of the direction the football club is going in," he said. "I've met all my team-mates now and it's been a really good few days, they've made me feel welcome and I'm really happy to be here. I think I made the right decision." Sterling is also confident he will be able to cope with the pressure his large price tag will bring – and has his heart set on winning tro- phies in his first season with City. "As a footballer playing in the Premier League for such big clubs you're always going to have pres- sure but you just have to deal with that and take it in your stride," he said. "I've got my own personal goals – assist ambitions – and hopefully doing really well for this football club and trying to get trophies." Raheem Sterling said that he is unhappy with how his exit from Liverpool was handled Steven Gerrard scores on MLS debut Steven Gerrard marked his Major League Soccer debut with a goal as he inspired the Los Angeles Galaxy to a come-from-behind 5-2 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes WATCHED by former Galaxy star David Beckham at Stub- Hub Center, the ex-Liverpool and England captain scored one and had a hand in two of Robbie Keane's three goals to help the hosts win the 'California Cla- sico' and go top of the Western Conference. Quincy Amarikwa, on his sec- ond MLS start for the Earth- quakes, bagged a quick-fire brace to give the visitors a 2-0 lead but Keane and Gerrard led the fightback which secured their side a fourth successive home league win. Amarikwa grabbed his first goal for his new club in the 22nd minute, collecting Sanna Nyas- si's ball from the right and firing home first time from the edge of the area. Three minutes late Amarikwa doubled his tally when he slot- ted past Brian Rowe after being picked out from Matias Perez Garcia's free-kick. Galaxy hit back on the half- hour mark when Gerrard was caught by Tommy Thompson's elbow in the penalty area and Republic of Ireland skipper Keane made no mistake from the resulting penalty. Gerrard levelled the game eight minutes before the break with his first Galaxy goal. Se- bastian Lletget's def lected cross from the right fell kindly for the 35-year-old at the back post and he swept home confidently be- fore racing off to celebrate with his new fans. The hosts took the lead in the 64th minute when Gerrard's drilled free-kick from the left was f licked in at the near post by Keane. Keane completed his second successive MLS hat-trick with another penalty, following David Bingham's foul on Bagio Husid- ic, and - after Gerrard had been substituted to a standing ova- tion - Lletget rounded things off in stoppage time with his fifth goal in eight appearances. Gerrard told a press confer- ence screened on the Los Ange- les Galaxy's website: "It was very pleasing to get off the mark. I was quite disappointed in the previous two games (an Interna- tional Champions Cup friendly and a US Open Cup match) not to get goals - I had two good chances. "I'm starting to feel a little bit sharper, I'm very close to full fitness. (Head coach) Bruce (Arena) was shouting 'how you doing?' from about 60 (minutes) but I was pretending I couldn't hear him and kept looking away. "I felt like a kid out there again. I don't want to come off - I want to play as much football as I can. One of the reasons why I've come to this team was to start all the games and play as many minutes as possible. "I was determined not to be- come a squad player. I still feel like I've got energy, I still love the game, I'm enjoying training and I'm settling in pretty nicely." On his relationship with Keane, he added: "We had that chemistry in Liverpool. When you're playing with good players, it's easy to connect. "Robbie's on the wavelength - he's a very intelligent player. We've got a great understand- ing. "I'm sure that relationship is only going to get stronger. When we add (Giovani) Dos Santos in- to the mix as well, we could have a formidable front line moving forward." Steven Gerrard celebrates his goal