Raheem Sterling insists he was happy his former side Liverpool won the Champions League last season – but says the Premier League remains Manchester City’s main objective.
Sterling, 24, recorded 25 goals and 18 assists in all competitions during the 2018/19 campaign as Pep Guardiola’s men secured back-to-back domestic glory.
And the England forward says the chance to become the first club – other than Manchester United – to win three consecutive English titles is what is whetting their appetite ahead of the new season.
“I was really happy for Liverpool, happy for some of the players I know to lift the Champions League,” Sterling told the Daily Mail.
“What we’ve done last season – every day, week in, week out – was exceptional. The Champions League is massive for us as a club but our most important thing is winning the Premier League.
“That’s our main objective going into this season. The Premier League is your bread and butter. The Champions League is the nicer-looking one, the most prestigious as people say, but every weekend you put in a shift.
“You’re going to tough places… you’re off to Crystal Palace, Burnley, it’s tough, you know. You put so much time into it. That’s why we cherish it.
“It’ll be harder than last season. To do this three times in a row is a massive challenge for us.”
And Sterling has warned the Reds, as well as other potential title rivals, that City will not be giving up their Premier League crown without an almighty fight.
“Liverpool, all these big clubs, will try to take titles off us. But there isn’t any player here who thinks they’re at their best,” he added.
“There are no egos in our changing room, no player who thinks he’s Pele or Maradona.”
Les Ferdinand believes Raheem Sterling is good enough to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona
