Raheem Sterling insists Liverpool will not allow themselves to be distracted by any mind games aimed at derailing their Barclays Premier League title challenge ahead of next weekend's crucial match with Chelsea at Anfield.

Liverpool are five points clear and odds-on to claim a first top-flight title since 1990 as they prepare to host Jose Mourinho's side. Sterling - who scored a brace at Carrow Road on Sunday as Norwich were overcome - says everyone at the Merseyside club will focus on what is happening there rather than allow any outside influence to destabilise the group.

"We are just taking it step by step," he said. "We know what a big part of the season it is for us now, but we will go into the Chelsea game as we have done and look to build on what we have done [before]. We won't be concentrating too much on what is going on in the outside."