Much to the disappointment of Reds fans, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers recently hinted Raheem Sterling could be sent on loan next season. According to Rodgers, the 17-year old winger is 'not ready' for the first team, but team-mate Joe Cole is excited about the youngster's future at Anfield.
According to Rodgers, 'There are very few players in the world who get into a Premier League team at 17, never mind a top club', which suggests that Sterling will not see much action next season if he stays at Anfield.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Joe Cole had a slightly different view, and seemed to suggest that Sterling was ready to play a part in the first team. He said:
"Raheem’s going to be a big player for Liverpool. He has got that mentality. He's competitive and he's a strong boy, and I don't think anything will faze him. He has definitely got goals in him.
"I know the fans saw him for a few games towards the end of last season and he could really make an impression this season. He can be a special player".
If Rodgers believes that Sterling is 'not ready' for the first team yet then I guess we have to take his word for it. However, from what I've seen so far, Sterling looks more than ready, and despite his age, he is (IMO) a better option than the woefully underperforming Stewart Downing.
Liverpool legend Didi Hamann certainly disagrees with Rodgers, and after Sterling's league debut against Wigan last season, he made it clear that he believes the youngster IS ready for first team action:
"In sixteen minutes, he [Sterling] showed more than some players did in the ninety minutes. He had a big impact when he came on, and he certainly deserves another chance, and hopefully we'll see more of him in the future".
If Sterling 'showed more than some players did in ninety minutes' during his 16 minute cameo, how can he not be ready for the first team?
Jaimie Kanwar
According to Rodgers, 'There are very few players in the world who get into a Premier League team at 17, never mind a top club', which suggests that Sterling will not see much action next season if he stays at Anfield.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Joe Cole had a slightly different view, and seemed to suggest that Sterling was ready to play a part in the first team. He said:
"Raheem’s going to be a big player for Liverpool. He has got that mentality. He's competitive and he's a strong boy, and I don't think anything will faze him. He has definitely got goals in him.
"I know the fans saw him for a few games towards the end of last season and he could really make an impression this season. He can be a special player".
If Rodgers believes that Sterling is 'not ready' for the first team yet then I guess we have to take his word for it. However, from what I've seen so far, Sterling looks more than ready, and despite his age, he is (IMO) a better option than the woefully underperforming Stewart Downing.
Liverpool legend Didi Hamann certainly disagrees with Rodgers, and after Sterling's league debut against Wigan last season, he made it clear that he believes the youngster IS ready for first team action:
"In sixteen minutes, he [Sterling] showed more than some players did in the ninety minutes. He had a big impact when he came on, and he certainly deserves another chance, and hopefully we'll see more of him in the future".
If Sterling 'showed more than some players did in ninety minutes' during his 16 minute cameo, how can he not be ready for the first team?
Jaimie Kanwar
Everybody knows including Rodgers, that rahim will be playing a big part for Liverpool this year but he's trying to manage expectation and keep his feet on the ground. It's at this point in a young players career that they go one of two ways....... Michael branch or Michael Owen! We all know he's gonna be a star lets be sensible please!
ReplyDeleteThe only way to really tell if he's ready or not is to give him games isn't it? If then he's getting muscled off the ball or he's not really performing we send him out on loan and try again next season with him. I personally believe Downing will be better this year (couldn't really be worse could he??), he's had a season under his belt and hopefully he'll get the no goals or assists monkey off his back early and go on to have a decent season.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, let's rush him into the first team whilst his body's not ready for it, maybe will have him til he's 24-25 before his legs give up
ReplyDeleteWho said anything about rushing him into the first team? I'm sure he can handle a few sub appearances and the odd start next season whilst learning from the likes of Gerrard and Suarez during training...
ReplyDeletePersonally i dont think the guy is ready, I like him i think he's a top young player and in a few years will probably be one of the best, I was impressed with his speed against Toronto but he does lose the ball quite easily. Also thought Suso and Morgan looked good as well. Perhaps a loan move would be good for Raheem providing Liverpool get him back. another 2 - 3 years and the guy will be world class
ReplyDeleteRahim will be a great player for the club but he's got to be used sparingly for a year or two until he's matured a bit or he could end up like Owen who was effectively done in at 25 and I'd hate to see that happen to the lad but suso should (IMO) be one of the first names down on the starting sheet cod he's the best passer we've got at the club
ReplyDeleteYou said 'he is (IMO) a better option than the woefully underperforming Stewart Downing', Stewart Downing being a first team regular, therefore you said that.
ReplyDeleteYou need to be aware of the regulations around the loaning of players. It is not possible for any player to go on loan before the age of 18, so he could only make a temporary move from January onwards.
ReplyDeleteI don't expect Downing to be a regular next season (as I've stated many times recently), so I would personally prefer to have Sterling as the back-up option to Dempsey, or whoever Rodgers brings in.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Jamie!!!
ReplyDeleteI think give him the games and how he performs will be the proof if he is ready or not, but I'm in no doubt he has the makings of a top quality player
ReplyDeleteI'd actually agree with that comment as well if anyone is ready for 1st team i'd say it was Suso over Sterling. I like them both but as i said also thought Morgan looked good. Liverpool have three really good players there. The future looks bright
ReplyDeleteSterling will be a fantastic player for sure. His enthusiasm is amazing. His tendency to give away the ball is of great concern. Rodgers is looking at possession football. Sterling tends to over dribble and gets into sticky situations whereby he losses the ball. Rodgers is looking at the big picture. I suggest we do the same.
ReplyDeleteBut I disagree he should be loaned out. He should be used as an impact sub for now. Because this wee man can make a difference if the team is unable to break the opponents defence. He has the ability to unlock any defence.
What about Jordan Ibe, I thought he looked class against Toronto. He did give the ball away a few times, but was by himself vs 2/3 players every time. Imagine him with Glen Johnson overlapping, that could really unlock tired defenses at the end of games. I agree with the comments above, our youth team looks far more accomplished than some first teamers (Adam, Cole in particular looked pretty average)
ReplyDeletei was really impressed with sterling,morgan and pacheco in the toronto game.unfortunately the same problems were present with spearing and adam.
ReplyDeleteEven if Sterling is ready, it wouldn't be a bad option to send him on loan to let's say Blackpool for 6 months... He can ply his trade there..learn..and if he gives a stellar performance consistenly, he can be borught back to Liverpool! Wouldn't harm Sterling, Liverpool or Blackpool!
ReplyDeleteAverage and Amateur.
ReplyDeleteTime to weed out the crap. But easily said than done.
ReplyDeleteBS
ReplyDeleteThis is another one of those British footballing fixations with size...here in SA we have the same thing when it comes to rugby. What a load of crap! Messi, Marodonna, Pele, Platini, Xavi, Silva etc etc etc All tiny guys, let the ball do the talking. No need to muscle people if you have the brains and the skill to back it up. I agree Jaimie, keep him in the system and with 3 cup comps and the league he should feature in at least 20 games even if mostly off the bench.
ReplyDeleteHe MAY send him on loan people. It's not a foregone conclusion yet...
ReplyDeletewhat are you trying to say?
ReplyDeleteapparently fulham don't want adam as part of dempsey deal,read elsewhere that we might have to loan spearing before selling him.
ReplyDeleteI think when BR says Sterling is not ready he might be meaning it from the psychological point of view. That is the only possible justification I can see there, but even in that case I would've used Europa League and cup games to play youngsters like him.
ReplyDeleteHuh? Didn't you read his message saying that he was away until today? Hence the welcome message.
ReplyDeleteRaheem is ready for the EPL. He can be managed into the league if the manager is concern about him over burning himself. If he is good enough, he is old enough to play. From what I saw of him so far, he is good and ready. Whats the difference of him playing with another team on loan and him playing for LFC?
ReplyDeleteAlso very impressed with Suso.
sick and tired of all this they are not ready due to age. Every world class player or even quaility players where playing first team football from the ages of 18 or 19:
ReplyDeleteGerrard 18 = 12 league appearances at 19 about 30 odd
fowler 18 & 19 = prolific scorer, unbeliveable
rooney 18 = playing for england!!!!
fabregas = made debut at when he was still 16!!
I could go on and on. If we are all saying he is as good as the players mentioned then he should be starting. if he is not as good as above mentioned, is he really going to be world class??? To be fair also none of these world class players where loaned out, they where that good they came straight into the team!
The problem I have is that Brendan wanted to take him on loan last season, so my question is this if Brendan was taking him last season what was he going to do with him put him on the bench or play him. If he was old enough and good enough last season for Swansea why is he not ready for Liverpool this season. Unless Im mistaken Swansea and Liverpool are both in the prem so therefore he will be playing against the same teams. If however Brendan wants him to get a full season under his belt playing every week then that is a different matter but if that is the case I would expect Brendan to come out and say so as he is a straight talker.
ReplyDeleteHope you re right
ReplyDeleteBrendan is just managing expectations as some people will get too excited about Raheem. So play it down an when he comes on off the bench and performs it will seem like a bonus. Rather than starting doing not much and getting subbed.
ReplyDelete