Sterling: It was a turning point for me
Facing Norwich City holds fond memories for Raheem Sterling – not least as he believes his superb campaign so far was kick-started by a goal in Liverpool's meeting with the Canaries earlier this season.
Luis Suarez grabbed the headlines when the teams faced each other at Anfield back in December, hitting four goals in a 5-1 victory for Brendan Rodgers' men.
Sterling was also on target that night, netting the fifth - from a Suarez assist, of course - late on that put the seal on the win.
Since then, the 19-year-old has firmly established himself in the first team and added six more efforts to take his overall tally to eight for the campaign so far.
As he prepares to face Norwich once more at Carrow Road, Sterling feels that cold December evening was a turning point in his year.
He told Liverpoolfc.com: "It wasn't the best of days for me. I was a bit sluggish, it was my second start of the season or something like that.
"But I got my chance and I took it really well from another assist from Luis. It was definitely a turning point for my season.
"I got a little bit of belief and confidence back and it just went from there. I've scored six more from there, so it was definitely a big moment for me."
Liverpool will head into Sunday's latest clash with the Canaries aiming to strengthen their position at the top of the Barclays Premier League table.
Last weekend's dramatic 3-2 victory over Manchester City was followed by a passionate post-match rallying cry from Steven Gerrard, in which he made clear the importance of being ready to 'go again' at Norwich to the squad.
"After that game, everyone was buzzing, everyone's emotions were high and everyone was really excited," reflected Sterling.
"He [Gerrard] was really excited and emotional as well, but as the captain he was making everyone know that we go again - we don't just rely on that game and think that's it.
"It was the right message and the right time to do it. We're all focused, no-one's too excited - there's just a real good belief and a real strong feeling of togetherness here.
"We're all working hard for each other and we all know what we want as the outcome at the end of it. We're all going to be giving it 100 per cent."
Just four games remain between now and the conclusion of the 2013-14 campaign; however, Sterling insists little will differ in terms of Liverpool's preparation.
"I don't think anything is going to change, really," he considered. "Everyone is excited, but everyone is focused.
"If you go downstairs now, everyone is doing their gym work and preparing - not just the day before a game, straight after Manchester City we were already preparing. We're ready to go again.
"We're not thinking of anything yet; we're just working day in, day out, keep working hard for each other and keep the faith. We'll just keep doing what we've been doing all season and that's going into games step by step.
"Hopefully we can go out there and show the real belief we have, not just in ourselves but in the supporters helping us, and get the win. We'll definitely be working hard for each other to get the right outcome."