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Sterling vows Liverpool will remain 'modest' in pursuit of title

London (AFP) - Liverpool teenage sensation Raheem Sterling has promised the Merseysiders will maintain a "modest" outlook in pursuit of a first Premier League title.

The Reds have been crowned champions of England 18 times but the last of those titles came in 1990 during the old First Division era.

Leaders Liverpool moved five points clear of nearest challengers Chelsea, who they face at Anfield on Sunday, after a 3-2 win at Norwich on Saturday where Sterling scored two goals.

Victory represented an 11th straight win for Brendan Rodgers' side but Sterling insisted none of the squad were getting carried away despite being in sight of the title.

"We come in every day at Melwood (Liverpool's training ground) and see each other, everyone knows what the dream is at the end of it, so everyone is just keeping each other modest and we know that if we keep working hard there is this real goal at the end of it now," Sterling said.

"I just think the important thing is for us to keep our heads down, keep working again this week, then go again this weekend."

At Carrow Road, Sterling helped Liverpool make light of the absence of injured striker Daniel Sturridge by unleashing a 25-yard strike that put the visitors 1-0 up after just four minutes.

Sterling, who could yet be included in England manager Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad, then set up Luis Suarez for the Uruguay striker's 30th goal of a brilliant campaign.

Liverpool manager Rodgers hailed the 19-year-old Sterling as "arguably the best young player in European football at the moment", and said it would be "ridiculous" if the England international didn't win England's Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year award.

And Liverpool and Brazil midfielder Lucas was in no doubt of Sterling's talent.

"He is showing he is developing and improving all the time," Lucas said.

"Raheem is playing with no fear, players normally have ups and downs, but he is really consistent and has probably been our best player over the past few months."