Manchester city winger Raheem Sterling saw his development stunted at Liverpool by former manager Brendan Rodgers, according to the player's agent.
Sterling was involved in a £49million move to the Etihad Stadium during the summer, with his representative Aidy Ward criticised by Liverpool fans for his role in the deal.
Under former Reds manager Rodgers, the 20-year-old was utilised across multiple positions and Ward believes his client has now benefited from a more attacking role where he is given a "licence to thrill".
"At Liverpool, Raheem was asked to play as a full-back, just like Emre Can was asked to play as a central defender when he is a midfielder," he is quoted as saying by The Mirror.
"That wasn’t going to help him develop as a player. Moving to City was right for Raheem, even if Liverpool fans don’t want to accept that. At City, he now has a licence to thrill."
And Ward believes criticism of Liverpool has now been justified with Sterling having scored four goals in 11 Premier League matches - including a hat-trick against AFC Bournemouth in October.
He said: "Raheem is in a good place. He is playing with better players for a manager who gives him the freedom to express himself, and he is improving as a player in a team that is at the top of the Premier League and in the Champions League.
"He has gone up a tier. Manuel Pellegrini has played him in a wide role with the freedom to drift inside and he has also played as a central striker.
"That’s why he scored the first hat-trick of his professional career recently – all of the goals coming in the first half."
Sterling will face Liverpool for the first time since leaving the club when City host Jurgen Klopp's men on November 21.
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