“I would not have got to where I am today if I had stayed,” the Liverpool striker told the Mirror.
“It was difficult for me at Manchester City as a young player aged 18 or 19, with all the money they have.
“Realistically, you look back and they only have Micah Richards from the academy playing for the club's first team - everyone else has been signed by Man City - so I feel I made the right decision leaving there.”