Raheem Sterling: My mum makes me do household chores

RAHEEM STERLING has revealed his mum’s key to keeping his feet on the ground — a hoover and duster.

Sterling made his Liverpool bow just 11 months ago but has already gone from Academy hopeful to England international.

And his mother Nadine has a surefire way of ensuring the 18-year-old Kop wonderkid does not get too carried away — with a list of household chores.

Sterling, who is just 5ft 7in, admitted: “My mum has moved up from London and I get told off all the time.

“She tells me off for being lazy and for not helping around the house — but I’m becoming better at that. She wants me to brush the stairs and help out in the kitchen — it’s hard work.

“She gives me stick but I do my bit. I cleaned the living room a couple of days ago.”

Only star striker Luis Suarez and skipper Steven Gerrard have made more appearances for the Reds than Sterling’s 35 this season.

The arrival of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge last month meant Brendan Rodgers was finally able to give the teenager a much-needed break.

And although the Kop boss has admitted he fears how the mega-riches on offer to youngsters these days can have a seriously negative affect, they appear unfounded in Sterling’s case.

For the Reds rookie is currently turning all his attentions outside football to charity work back in Jamaica — in particular Maverley, the area of Kingston he lived until he moved to England aged five.

Sterling added: “When I go to Jamaica in the summer I want to pay for two primary schools, for the whole school’s fees and their lunch money for the year.

“Everyone is living OK but not everyone has it easy. If I can chip in and help, that would be good.”

Sterling could have opted to represent Jamaica but won his first full Three Lions cap against Sweden in November.

The winger added: “I grew up playing for England’s youth teams and it just didn’t seem right to switch. Making my senior debut was a dream come true.”

But not every Liverpool player is happy at the moment.

Martin Skrtel, 28, insists he is baffled at being axed from the team. The Slovak centre-back has only started two games since the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United six weeks ago.

He revealed: “In Manchester we lost but we played very well.

“But the manager told me we lost organisation in the line and that was the reason I wouldn’t play in the following matches.

“It’s hard to tell if it was the true reason. I don’t think it was and there is something else behind it. It makes me sad but the coach has decided like this and I have to respect it.”