Raheem Sterling regrets manner of Liverpool exit

Raheem Sterling: Admits regrets about the way he left Liverpool

Raheem Sterling admits he is " a bit disappointed" with how he left Liverpool - but says he wanted to join Manchester City to win trophies.

The England international completed a £49m move to Manchester City this week but was criticised for the way the transfer came about. 

Sterling rejected a contract extension with Liverpool and he and his agent Aidy Ward publicly stated the players' desire not to sign a new deal at Anfield. 

As City's interest emerged, Sterling 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 adamant he's made the right move. 

"From the first moment I heard City were interested in me [I wanted 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 trophies in his first season with City. 

"As a footballer playing in the Premier League for such big clubs you're always going to have pressure 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." 

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Liverpool continue to discuss Christian Benteke transfer from Aston Villa

Christian Benteke: Liverpool have triggered his release clause

Liverpool remain in talks with Aston Villa over the signing of Christian Benteke, as they await permission to put him through a medical.

Liverpool have already met the £32.5m release fee clause in Benteke's contract at Villa Park but there is no agreement yet over the finer details of the Belgium international's transfer.

It is now unlikely the deal will be completed in time for the 24-year-old to take part in Liverpool's pre-season tour.

The Liverpool squad beat the Thai All-Stars side in Bangkok and are now in Australia where they won 2-1 against Brisbane Roar. They are due to play Adelaide United on Monday and a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

Benteke, who has two years remaining on his Villa contract, has scored 49 goals in 101 appearances for the club since he joined from Genk in 2012.

Earlier this week, Villa boss Tim Sherwood said he wanted to keep Benteke but admitted the club were powerless if a bid of £32.5m was received.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers made Benteke his primary summer target to strengthen his forward line but, after initially refusing to meet the buy-out clause, the sale of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City in a £49m deal prompted a shift in thinking.

England international Daniel Sturridge made just 18 appearances last season after missing virtually the first five months of the campaign with injury, and is likely to be sidelined until at least September after undergoing surgery on a hip problem

Rodgers desperately needs a striker who can stand up to the rigours of the Premier League.

He has Benteke's fellow international Divock Origi, playing his first season in English football after spending last term on loan at Lille, and summer signing from Burnley Danny Ings at his disposal - having decided Mario Balotelli, Rickie
Lambert and Fabio Borini are all surplus to requirements - but needs some proven firepower.

The club have invested heavily in Hoffenheim's Brazil international Roberto Firmino, who could cost them up to £29m, but he is not an out-and-out forward and so Rodgers needed to recruit someone else to play as his spearhead.

Liverpool have already bought six new players, including England right-back Nathaniel Clyne at a cost of £12.5m, and Benteke's arrival would push their summer spending to around £80m.

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Sky Sports looks back at the best Premier League moments

Sky Sports is celebrating 23 years as the home of the Premier League by asking you to vote for your favourite moment from the world's most exciting league.

We have created a video archive of the greatest Premier League moments selected by our team of experts and we want you to tell us which one you like the most.

Now is the time to relive the magic. From Sergio Aguero’s last-gasp title winner to David Beckham’s audacious lob against Wimbledon, there is something for everyone to savour.

Get involved, share your favourite video with your friends and we'll reveal the most shared moments on August 21.

If you feel our archive is missing a moment which embodies everything great about the Premier League, join the conversation #PLMoments and let us know and we will add in footage of your suggestions.

Throughout the next four weeks, we'll break down different moments that continue to grab our attention. Great goals, monumental derbies, nail-biting final days of all the season, we’ve got it all covered.

And don't forget, Sky Sports is still the home of the Barclays Premier League with 116 fixtures to be shown exclusively live this season.

You can watch a selection of 160 Premier League moments and vote for your favourite from the last 23 seasons by visiting http://ift.tt/1VdiJEM

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