Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling pledges international future to England Sterling has noted how many perceived him as brash, having seen the dressing down he received from manager Brendan Rodgers in the misguided Being: Liverpool documentary, and read suggestions that he wanted a significant pay rise when he agreed to a new deal. I'm not cocky. I'd say I've got swagger. That's it," Sterling said. I know what I can do on the pitch so I'm confident on the pitch, but not cocky off it, no. People must have thought I was a little cocky kid [when they saw the documentary], but I didn't say anything and it was all cleared up. Me and Brendan spoke about that later. He knows I didn't say what it looked like I did and it was all a bit of misunderstanding, so to get a rollicking on telly was a bit shameful. As a young player you need the harsh treatment but mine came really harsh. You need stuff like that, though, to make sure you have the respect for the manager. He's then had the faith to put me into a game like Manchester City at the start of the season. I've good support around me with my mum, my uncle and my agent. They all know what I can do and have looked after me since I was younger. It's just a case of me adjusting and waiting for the right moments to progress, keep learning and doing more. My mum always looks after me and helps me to keep my head down so that's good. It's good that my mum has moved up here with my brothers and sisters because it's a good feeling to be with your family 24/7. She is really inspirational in my life and I thank her for that. She wouldn't let my feet get off the ground. She thinks she knows a lot about football. She tries to tell me what I can do better and some of the things the manager is telling me she is telling me as well, like about getting into the box and things like that. "You're never in the box," she says to me but she must have a point because the manager is saying it as well." Sterling initially took to Twitter to respond to criticism of reported wage demands before heeding maternal advice about keeping his counsel for a more appropriate time and platform. "My mum said to me, "Don't listen to what other people are saying, you know what you are going to do at the end of the day so don't let other things get into your head. You are happy at the football club so just wait for the right moment to sign,"" he said For me it's not really about finance. I just really wanted to get the contract sorted. It was a relief to get it done. Being thrust into the limelight at such a young age can be a mixed blessing, with the demands and expectations as high as the potential rewards. In his club captain, Steven Gerrard, Sterling has the ideal role model to offer empathy and advice. The message from his manager is that there is a long way for him to go. Sterling shared that opinion. "Personally I don't think I've started yet so I really need to kick on in the new year and show the fans and the club what I can do," he said. I'm nowhere near where I think I can be, particularly goalscoring-wise and the more attacking side of the game. There's a lot more to come. Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen could make his Stoke team comeback against his old club. Owen has recovered from a hamstring that has kept him out since Oct 27 and has been working on his fitness.