Manchester City star Raheem Sterling says his side proved a point with their thumping of newly crowned champions Liverpool, warning “next season started today”.
City’s defeat against Chelsea last week saw them surrender their Premier League crown to Liverpool with seven games left to play, ending the Reds’ 30-year title drought.
That meant Pep Guardiola’s side had to lay on a guard of honour before the two sides’ meeting at the Etihad on Thursday, but on the field they gave a reminder of their quality a 4-0 hammering courtesy of strikes from Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain own goal.
"They have been brilliant all year and we knew we had to come out strong. We started really well and all credit to the boys," he told Sky Sports.
"We knew we were behind, we were disappointed at times this season having lost some games we shouldn't have so we had a test against the new champions and (a chance) to make a point.
"Next season starts today and I think we did well."
Foden’s strike was his fourth in three league appearances since the restart and with David Silva leaving the club at the end of the season, Sterling is sure the English youngster will play a big part in City’s attempts to regain the title next season.
"It is a team that is evolving, changing all the time and with the players who are coming through like Phil you see the maturity he has been playing with," Sterling added.
"Every opportunity I've seen him get he does brilliantly, so we have some great players coming through."
