'The two reasons behind Raheem's rise'
Joe Allen identified two factors in the remarkable progress of Raheem Sterling after the 19-year-old notched a brace of goals and created the other in Liverpool's 3-2 victory over Norwich City on Sunday.
As so often in recent months, the No.31 was a wrecking ball of running, harrying, dribbling and finishing throughout the Barclays Premier League encounter at Carrow Road.
It was his thunderous drive from distance that broke the deadlock on four minutes, and it was his incisive delivery across the box which laid on a straightforward second for Luis Suarez moments later.
Capping the Englishman's performance was the third goal; capitalising on a wayward pass inside the Liverpool half, Sterling burst forward, shimmied to the left and clipped a deflected shot home.
"It was an incredible performance from Raheem," teammate Allen enthused to the Liverpool Echo. "His first goal showed the talent he possesses. It was a great strike.
"The improvements he has made in the time I've been here is just incredible. He has become a very important player for us."
The double against the Canaries took Sterling's tally for the campaign to 10 goals, including nine in the Premier League from 30 appearances.
On Friday, the forward was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year prize - a deserving reward, according to Allen, who cites a pair of reasons for his development.
The Welshman added: "I think it's a combination of two things. Firstly, being given that chance to perform as young players can sometimes be overlooked.
"But the other side of it is being willing to work hard day in, day out to improve, and Raheem has done that."