Last Sunday, Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling staked another strong claim for regular first team action with an excellent solo goal against Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield. Sterling has impressed in every senior game in which he's been involved, and fans are hoping that the youngster will grab more first team starts during this upcoming season. Is he ready for regular Premier League action, though? Anfield legend Jan Molby doesn't think so.
Discussing Sterling's future potential on LFC TV last night, Molby predicted that he would get 'plenty of runouts during the season', but refuted the contention that the 17-year old is ready for regular first team action. He observed:
"Everyone thinks he [Sterling] is ready for the season, but he isn't ready for the demands of playing for a club like Liverpool, and I think he needs another 12 months.
"When you play with the under 18s, it's a different game; it's not as intense as the Premier League, and that's the bit I think he's going to struggle with.
"That's what most young players struggle with, unless they're exceptional, and we've a few of those over the years, but in time, he will in time be a great player".
I disagree that Sterling would struggle with the intensity of the Premier League; yes, some young players struggle, but based on what we've seen of Sterling so far, there's no evidence to suggest that he has mentality/fitness issues that would lead to problems.
No one is suggesting that Sterling plays every single game, but what's wrong with starting 10-15 games (all competitions) in one season? Surely a fit and healthy 17-year old can handle that?
Hopefully, Liverpool will sign at least two wide-forwards by the end of the transfer window, which will make the need to rely on Sterling less acute, but with four competitions to fight for this season, there are plenty of games for Sterling to make his mark.
Jaimie Kanwar
Discussing Sterling's future potential on LFC TV last night, Molby predicted that he would get 'plenty of runouts during the season', but refuted the contention that the 17-year old is ready for regular first team action. He observed:
"Everyone thinks he [Sterling] is ready for the season, but he isn't ready for the demands of playing for a club like Liverpool, and I think he needs another 12 months.
"When you play with the under 18s, it's a different game; it's not as intense as the Premier League, and that's the bit I think he's going to struggle with.
"That's what most young players struggle with, unless they're exceptional, and we've a few of those over the years, but in time, he will in time be a great player".
I disagree that Sterling would struggle with the intensity of the Premier League; yes, some young players struggle, but based on what we've seen of Sterling so far, there's no evidence to suggest that he has mentality/fitness issues that would lead to problems.
No one is suggesting that Sterling plays every single game, but what's wrong with starting 10-15 games (all competitions) in one season? Surely a fit and healthy 17-year old can handle that?
Hopefully, Liverpool will sign at least two wide-forwards by the end of the transfer window, which will make the need to rely on Sterling less acute, but with four competitions to fight for this season, there are plenty of games for Sterling to make his mark.
Jaimie Kanwar
he's ready, he is similar to Michael Owen when he was 17/18, we have to use that pace while hes got it
ReplyDeleteHe is certainly ready to have some involvement. If he is good enough, then he is ready! Rooney did it, Walcott did it, Owen did it, and many more. I dont think anyone is expecting him to play loads, but he should be included in some games, and a few others too.
ReplyDeleteHe needs to get some weight on him....but i agree with you this time nothing wrong with starting some FA;EUROPA and EPL games.
ReplyDeleteGuys hopefully we can sign sahin and tello. Then we will have a team that can compete for third place.
ReplyDeleteI think he could do the same job that Ryan Babel did in his 1st season at Liverpool and change games from the subs bench.
ReplyDeleteI'd like tO see what hes like up against seasoned professionals. He looks so tiny i wouldnt want him to get chopped down if physically his body cant hack it. But what a talent we have when he is ready.
ReplyDeleteI think he will be a great impact sub this season, late in the game when the defenders are exhausted and cant handle "Speedy Gonzlez" (Raheem Sterling=
ReplyDeleteyeah and look what happened to Owen
ReplyDeleteI agree, should be used more as a sub. If you ask me he has been in and out of games during pre season. Great tallent, but i would give him a year or 2 before he becomes a regular
ReplyDeleteyeah, play him again weaker team or in cup competitions, and bring him in from the bench to attack tired legs in final 15 mins, wouldn't harm anyone.
ReplyDeleteYeh i disagree with Jan here, Look at chamberlain? or Hernandez? there is two examples of young players who adapted straight away to the prem. Even Martin Kelly? he's a young lad who stepped up to the plate! i agree he isnt exactly someone who should be playing every week but he's certainly good enough to come of the bench and cause a few problems? id also like to see more of Morgan and Suso as well
ReplyDeleteI agree Jaimie, nobody is saying play him week in week out but he is ready absolutely!!!
ReplyDeleteI think u guys are too desperate to hav him playing. Sure he is ready, maybe lacking experience. But just being in the squad even if he is not playing week in and out , will improve him. He will be less overawed and blend in with the dressing room and squad. As the season wears on , he will get more games and probably get in 10 - 15 matches starting and as sub and by then we will see if he has made the transition from under 18s, reserves to first team football. Basically, if we dont need him then we bide our time and keep him interested. He surely cant be expecting to play all the games, so he will be happy this year to develop. But if we need him (hopfully in the latter part of the season) then we know he is available. Can he be better than what we got? We wont know until the season starts and if we are on a roll or not.
ReplyDeleteScored a great goal but did very little else and faded as the game went on. I would hold him back to Carling and Europa league, as the season goes on he will be able to cope with demands easier and maybe force his way the into the starting 11.............. There is only so long a talent like that can no be starting games!
ReplyDeleteHis time will come!
Yep, he faded - but he still consistently offered a greater threat than Downing though...
ReplyDeleteFor once Jamie you have come up with a positive article.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that Sterling is not ready, and that we need to get in at least one more legitimate starting quality wideman (assuming that Suarez/Borini will be taking up a wide role in most games).
ReplyDeleteHowever, if Downing is the benchmark, then Sterling is definitely ready right now! We need better winger(s) to set the standard for Sterling, but we also need better wide-men than Downing if we are to rejoin the elite sooner than later. I can't see the argument for holding the likes of Sterling while continuing to overpay the likes of Downing to contribute at a marginally higher level, whether it is to benefit the club in the short-term, or the longer term.
I think Jan meant he is not ready mentally for the intensity and pressure that comes with regular first team football rather than the physical demands. I agree to the point were he shouldn't be starting every game but this is definitely the year we should be working him into the team.
ReplyDeleteI still don't get all the hype over Tello - I'd rather we just promoted Pacheco than paid good money for another kid that likely isn't any better than him
ReplyDeleteSterling looks more physically ready for first team football than Jay Spearing (or Joe Allen for that matter!) and he is playing out wide where the onus is on speed & skill, not strength & power
ReplyDeleteAye, all those hamstring problems he had, had a big impact on his pace. He and the club maybe should have done more to look after those hamstrings, like some players do such as Bale and Giggs with their yoga/pilates stuff (though maybe football wasn't as aware about the impact of yoga back then as it is now, maybe.
ReplyDeletecannot see what the difference is between what molby and jaimie said both saying give him a run out but hes not going to start every game
ReplyDeleteThe likes of Downing do need some competition, that is for sure. Though whether Sterling is ready to provide regular competition, I am not so sure. I would rather be patient with him but with our dire history of wide men (since McManaman) as well as the so-called presence of Downing, it is understandable that we are a bit trigger happy to get Sterling involved so soon.
ReplyDeleteWould certainly want to see more sub appearances from Sterling, as I think his injection of pace in the latter parts of game will be very useful. The Capital One cup would be a good breeding ground for the likes of Sterling.
The difference is this: Molby argues that Sterling is not ready to deal with the intensity of the Premier League; I argue the opposite.
ReplyDeleteUrgh. The 'Capital One' Cup. Just the name of it makes my skin crawl.
ReplyDeleteI concur.
ReplyDeleteWith the new targets coming in, Downing is going down. way low in the pecking order. One year in the red shirt and could not prove his worth. BR should be ruthless in selection with no sentiments attached . Shape up or ship out. WE have had enough of mediocrity in the team.
ReplyDeleteI know he's got much more natural talent and footballing ability than Downing but I cant agree with that statement in general, Downing has looked good this pre season....... looks a different player compared to Kenny's days.
ReplyDeleteI don't see how Rodgers can mention Downing in the same breath as Borini, Gerrard and Suarez without featuring heavy in his plans.......
ReplyDeletemolby stated he will get plenty off run outs you said 10/15games this season imo not far off the same thing can he handle the intensity who knows?but either way its time one of the youngsters got a go otherwise it will put future young players off signing for the club?imo if hes good enought hes old enought most players improve by playing with better players so all the best to him if he dosnot get a chance he will soon want to move to somewhere he dose its all down to rodgers its his call and only he can decide his future anfield carear
ReplyDeleteI think Morgan needs a go also...
ReplyDeleteHe should be a regular in the squad... Impact player like Babel as you say... wearing teams down, exhaustion... BANG! bring on Sterling with devastating effect... get the confidence up, build him into that starting position
ReplyDeletewe already had a speedy Gonzales (mark Gonzales from Peru I think) so we gotta call him something else...
ReplyDeleteSterling should be used as an impact player and in the league cup (cough cough), FA and Europa league. All the lad needs is experience and a little bulk up.
ReplyDeleteI think if we get a lot of injuries he would rise to the occasion.
totally... but Rogerrs must be ruthless! If you're shyte, take a hike...
ReplyDeletedoes anybody else hate charlie adam as much as me? lol
Mentally, this kid is as tough as old boots. I know of him from where he came from in Jamaica and I know of his parents through mutual friends.
ReplyDeleteHe is as hard as nails believe me!
Really? I remember Downing playing on the right a lot last season, and I'm not seeing too much difference aside from the fact that one of his shots has gone in this season.
ReplyDeleteYou can get injured in the reserves, just as in the furst team.
ReplyDeleteThe major difference for the player is that being injured in the first team he'll be given more chances to work his way back to full fitness & a place in the first team again, whereas getting a major injury in the reserves plays a good chance in being the end of him ever breaking through at a club
I find it strange if hes not ready this season then why did Brendan want to take him on loan last season, would he not be playing against the same prem teams and players. With obvious exceptions of promoted teams and new players signed this season.
ReplyDelete