Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard wax lyrical over Radamel Falcao and Raheem Sterling

ByPete Sharland

Updated 21/02/2017 at 22:52 GMT

Former England internationals Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard were full of praise for Radamel Falcao and Raheem Sterling after Manchester City's 5-3 victory over Monaco in the Champions League.

Sterling opened the scoring in the match whilst Falcao scored twice, including one delightful chip, and missed a penalty.

Talking about the chip Ferdinand, who was working as a pundit on BT Sport, said "The run, then he shakes the defender off and then the audacity to chip the ball from within the box and over the keeper.

After missing a penalty and to have that audacity, it's a joke..it's a great goal, it'll be played and played and played.

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Falcao struggled during loan spells with Manchester United and Chelsea, but looks back to his best this season and lived up the pre-game billing.

Sterling is another who has shone this season after some tough times and his performance drew plenty of plaudits.

Gerrard, Sterling's captain at Liverpool, pointed out the work-rate of Sterling and added that now he's starting to add end product to his game he is establishing himself as one of the best wingers around.

"Because I've worked with him I know how much he puts into training and how much he wants to learn. He goes to managers and he goes to people for advice and he is prepared to improve his game, he listens," Gerrard said.

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring their first goal

Image credit: Reuters

"What he does is work for the team both ways. He puts in a hell of a shift defensively, but also he breaks the line with his running and aggressiveness.

"He's starting to add goals and assists to his game and he's getting to that point where you would have to describe him amongst the best."

Ferdinand added: "Remember he's come off a tournament where he was more or less blamed for the failure and the character he's shown to come through this, and now just him all the young players at City, the experience and morale boost they can take from this is huge.

"Sterling has grown, he had all the raw materials in terms of pace, strength and it was just the end product people questioned but that's starting to evolve. He wants to learn and Pep (Guardiola) coaching him is a great mix."

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