1 Mar 2013

BR raves: 'Brilliant' LFC star is the best young player in Europe. Exaggeration...?

After playing more minutes than any other Liverpool player in the first half of the season, Reds winger Raheem Sterling is currently taking an (enforced) break from regular first-team action. Brendan Rodgers recently admitted that the 18-year old has 'lost his zip', but despite that, the Reds boss is convinced that Sterling is one of the best young players in Europe.

In his pre-Wigan press conference yesterday, Rodgers hailed Sterling's 'outstanding' contribution to Liverpool's season, and then hinted that the winger is making a bigger impact than any other young player in Europe. He raved:

"He has had a brilliant season. I don't know of another 17-year-old in European football who has had the impact he [Sterling] has had in one of the five biggest leagues in the world.

"He has got huge talent. This is a real, real difficult, tough league for an experienced player and even the experienced players will sometimes drop off in their performance level because it is natural, so it is no surprise that it happens to a young kid of 17, now 18"


Trademark overpraise from Rodgers. Sterling has had a good season, but 'brilliant' and 'outstanding'? If he's so good, where does he have to go from here? How do you improve on 'outstanding'?

Unless I'm reading his comments wrong, Rodgers is basically suggesting that Sterling is the best young player in Europe. For his age group, he may be right. Are there any other 17/18 year olds in Europe who've payed more games and/or had a bigger impact than Sterling?

In an interview with the Official Liverpool FC website this week, Sterling claimed that he doesn't feel any 'added pressure' for his place in the team, and pinpointed the two areas of his game he plans to improve. He said:

"I don't feel an added pressure. I can't try and overdo it. As a young player you've just got to work hard and I've got to play my normal game and hopefully that will work out. I've been in the gym a few times a week. Size isn't an issue as long as you can hold your own on the pitch. I want to work on my long-distance shooting and my decision making."

The arrival of Philippe Coutinho has increased competition for places in Sterling's position, and the youngster seems resigned to becoming an impact sub for Liverpool. He told the club's official site:

"Hopefully I can get on the bench and then make an impact coming off the bench. Hopefully I can get a chance and take it"



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54 comments:

  1. liverpool4life5655:03 pm, March 01, 2013

    Sterling does deserve praise for his performances..... If Rodgers wants to do it like that then so be it, he also put his markings down on sterling saying he needs to kick on now.

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  2. Istanbul 5 times bitch5:08 pm, March 01, 2013

     Jamie always gets annoyed when something good is said about a Liverpool player like he supports another team or something.

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  3. No Jamie, I think it's you who is overdoing it. The headline was never said by Rodgers, he said he couldn't think of another 17 year old in Europe who hhad a bigger impact. And he may be right, I certainly can't think of one.

    This was forced on Sterling, of course, since our paper thin squad was so lacking in the 1st half of the season, and as he said himself , he has a long long way to go- it's nice to see he's not getting carried away- but he was very good for his age. I'd say better than Barnes was at that age. Time will tell if he's another Joe Cole, never living up to his rep early on

    I agree Rodgers overpraises, but time will tell...

     

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  4. I really don't see the harm in what Rodgers said. Sterling has been outstanding for his age but both he and BR know he will have to improve on what he has done so far.

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  5. Jaimi you seem to be really anti-LFC these days, i dont whats wrong but we all know Raheem hasnt been 'outstanding', but whats wrong with Brendan saying so to give a young player some confidence? Hes not been great recently, maybe he needs to hear something like that? Every time someone seems to disagree with you it seems like you believe we are 'blinkered fans' and somehow inferior in football knowledge. I deem myself a 'supporter' and even if i think a player is wrong i'd still 'support', whether i'm biased i dont care but i certainly do t go out of my way to be overly critical.

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  6. this fellas not a fan/supporter, he writes dribble on get hits on this site, ive been reading his rubbish for a ehile now and never seen him do a article when we win, funny/strange that!!

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  7. I think he has a great season as everybody at the beginning of the campaign thought had he would make his name as a impact sub. His England call up was justified by his impressive performances on the pitch.
    I don't think many 17 years olds could of matched the job that his has done. plus he is one of the reasons why the form of players like Downing ,Henderson and Enrique have gone up over the past few months, their noses must of been put out place when they saw players like Wisdom, Suso, and Sterling in their positions. Lets hope all three players gain from their experiences and kick on for next season.

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  8. Sorry, but that's nonsense. The problem here is this: I have my own personal views, and you and other intolerant fans like you don't like that, so you're constantly on the attack, trying to slap down everything I say.

    All I do is post my view, and do what every other fan does: defend it. I get masses of completely unprovoked abuse every day just for having a different opinion to the majority (most the abuse doesn't make it live)

    I don't claim anyone has 'inferior knowledge' at all - total crap. I just defend my view. That's what you're projecting. It's laughable really - everyone else is allowed to attack what I say, accuse me of X, Y and Z, and repeatedly insinuate I don't know what I'm talking about, but when I defend my views, I'm the one in the wrong?!

    With respect, If you or anyone else thinks this site is overly critical, then go and bitch about it somewhere else. I'm not here to please you, or agree with you, or ingratiate myself with the majority. I write what I think, and if people can't hack that, tough luck.

    I've said this once and I'll say it again: I do not care what the majority view is, and I'm not going to held hostage to that. i think what I think, you and others think what you think.

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  9. Sterling never had that kind of impact. A very average player.

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  10. Jaimie, you've got me wrong. I'm not attacking your arguement when you dont agree with the masses. I just find you are overly critical. And by basically saying that about disagreeing with the masses you are implying i am a dead fish that swims with the tide. I dont. I have my own brain and disagree with people on here a lot of the time or in fact in every walk of life. And your right my opinion of the word 'supporter' may be different with yours, but thats because the word 'support' is in it-and i dont agree that you 'support' much. I dont see why i disagree with you and some of your articles that i should 'go and find another site'. I also dont think i'm a bitch either. You've got broad enough shoulders to write what you write, surely my criticism isn't harsh enough to warrant that sort of reply? I think i'm being constructive-and having met you i find you a likeable fella, so i hope that your not offended. I like this site and what you do with it-i just dont agree with what you write all the time and find its a bit more negative then 18months ago.

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  11. I agree. But he will need to keep on his toes as a certain Mr Ibe is going to push him all the way hopefully. (in fact, I'm hoping the competition they offer each other works out very well for us....)

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  12. He said nothing of the sort. He never said he was the best young player in Europe just that no 17 year old had made the same impact at this level in Europe this year. If you know one who has pray tell. You've just exaggerated his comment to suit a sensationalist tabloid agenda. I hoped for more from you.

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  13. Please excuse me for asking this question; but how on earth can you possibly state that as any kind of fact, based on an extremely young player's showing, over an up and down season, the likes of what we have just experienced?
    I admit, he doesn't look invincible at present; but to dish out judgement based on a dip in form, is quite a remarkable thing to hear.....

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  14. BR said "I dont know of another 17 year old who has had the same imact".  BR did NOT say "sterling is the best young player in Europe"

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  15. Don't excuse yourself.

    That's a valid question you asked to statement that did not have a lick of evidence to support it.

    I'm starting to wonder if the statement was supposed to be sarcastic.  But I can't tell.

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  16. With respect Jaimie your headline in no way matches what BR said here. Ironically you use the word exaggeration.which i would say sums up your take on this.I give you that you do say "Unless i'm reading his comments wrong" and suggest you are.He does overpraise(at times),i suppose he uses it as a tactic to motivate,but as a football fan who watches football at many levels every night(sad i know)i'm unaware of a 17 year old who has had any impact at such a high level (prem)this year. Can you think of any?

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  17. My interpretation of what Rodgers said is perfectly fair. If no other teenager in the whole of Europe has achieved Sterling's impact, then by extension, that means he has performed the best, does it not?

    Interpreted objectively, yes, of course it does. As usual though, people don't like the content of the article, so they find things to moan about. Standard procedure. If this was an article dripping with superlative lionising Sterling, you and others wouldn't be moaning about the headline.

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  18. Jesus - did I put that in quotation marks to signify it was a direct quote from Rodgers? No. It's a fair paraphrase of what he directly implies. If you have nothing useful to add except bitching about pointless stuff, go to some other site.

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  19. Chucky, please don't twist my words. I didn't call you a 'bitch' and you know that. To bitch about something means to moan, but you know that already.

    I only referred to you directly in the second paragraph, with reference to fans wanting me to conform, and you seem to be part of that group.

    I'm not offended at all, and this has nothing to do with you disagreeing with me. That accusation is such a cliche now that it's almost parody.

    This is about people constantly moaning that this site is too critical, and becoming hostile because I don't conform to what the majority perception of what a fan should be.

    The tagline of this site is 'Critical realism about LFC'. It is set up to take a critical view of the club, and football in general. People should expect critical articles here, and if they disagree, then they should state their case in a civil manner.

    People rolling up every 5 seconds saying 'you're too critical/negative' etc is a pointless exercise, and just diverts attention away from whatever issue is being discussed.

    If people think this site is too critical I just don't understand why they'd come here. There are plenty of other LFC sites out there that are wildly positive, and conform more to the majority expectation of what a 'fan' should be.

    I don't know how many times I have to make this point, but I'll do it again: I have absolutely no problem with people disagreeing with my views. Tear them apart to your heart's content. As long as it's done in a civil manner, I welcome it with open arms.

    Everything outside that is not welcome, i.e. moaning about me, my approach, my writing style etc - these things have nothing to do with the opinions being advanced. Attack the argument, not the person seems to be a concept that many people find incredibly hard to grasp.

    I'm trying to create a site here where people debate vociferously about their opinions, and leave all the other crap at the door, and as long as people can't get behind that, there is going to be conflict.

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  20. hes done ok still think he should be playin resi football owen and rooney were light years ahead of him at 18 years of age a little bit to soon 4 me

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  21. You've got me questioning the sarcasm now!
    If it is though, I'm still no wiser!     :-)

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  22. But there is such a difference in "performed the best" with reference to this season so far and "is the best young player in Europe" he simply didn't say that.I actually believe there are better all round 17/18 year old players at LFC, never mind the rest of Europe,but regardless how you,me or anyone else interprets this BR clearly doesn't Rave,Sterling is the best young player in Europe. I also didn't say i don't like the content of your article,this is a critical analysis of the article,and the implication as i see it.Nor am i moaning (i'm smiling actually),and i wouldn't highlight a headline lionising Sterling as i don't believe he deserves it.So maybe others-not me!

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  23. Brian - I didn't say Rodgers said that. It's my paraphrase of what I think he said. That part is not in quotes in the headline, is it?

    If someone says Sterling has made the most impact of all the 17/18 year old players in Europe this season, what else does it mean other than Sterling is, at this time, the best in Europe?! It means exactly that.

    Plus, if someone labels a player 'outstanding',  'brilliant' and a 'huge talent' in the same statement, how is that not 'raving' about the player?!

    Not everything is 110% literal with the spoken word. For example: Yesterday, Rodgers said 'Luis Suarez is the player of the season'

    Is it not then fair to suggest that Rodgers is also saying that Suarez is the best striker in the Premier League?!  Of course it is. Same with the Sterling example.

    Re the moaning etc and not liking the article; I wasn't referring directly to you.

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  24. Feel like i'm drawing this out now and it's not my intention,honestly.If you had said in your headline what you've just said in your reply to me"Sterling is,at this time the best in Europe" that would sound/read so differently. I understand it's you paraphrase of what you think he said,l just listen to the interview and  it's clear to me that he has no intention (hopefully) of labeling Sterling the best in Europe. Teixeira,Ibe both better imo.

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  25. Sigh. Most people would reasonably assess a young player as an U21 or even U23 player. Rodgers clearly said 17 year old and did not extend that through the gamut of all young players. You did that. Rodgers didn't even suggest that. You did. Additionally impact is clearly not the same as who is the best. You willingly made that leap. For example Michu has arguably made a bigger impact this year than Rooney or Aguero this year. Joe Allen made a bigger impact than Carrick last season. Charlie Adam the season before that. Surely you wouldn't argue that they are BETTER players?

    As far as I can see the boy is 18 years old. He has plenty of time to develop as a player and as a man. Kneejerk criticism and overegged 'analysis' does not help the young lad and neither does the over exposure. You are playing a part in the possible demise of a young LFC talent. The internet pressure put on this young man is too much now. Give him a chance to develop and stop the hounding. What Rodgers said had merit. What you skewed and inferred from it has none.

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  26. Kid was immense last night!

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  27. hack journalism as usual, are all your pieces an open job interview for the s*n ? you misrepresented at worst or badly misinterpreted what was said in the press conference

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  28. This such pedantry. How many more people are going to nitpick about something so irrelevant? I interpret it one way, you interpret it another. Guess what: we both have different opinions. Deal with it.

    And playing a part in the possible demise of a young LFC talent? Gee, don't exaggerate or anything! I'm sure the 30K a week Sterling earns will soften the blow.

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  29. Jamie you are manc!

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  30. I've honestly never heard that before. A+ for originality :-)

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  31. There goes BR on his usual idolatry of every player in the squad who might be of some use. Sterling is hugely overrated and apart from some nice dribbles because of his pace and a couple of goals, has done nothing to suggest (yet) that he can be anything more than a half a season hype. He's also not got his attitude right off the pitch with him getting in some less than desirable headlines. The praise from BR may also be giving him that sense of security where he does not even feel any pressure from extra competition. Cocksure attitude? Maybe, but more likely the former. BR's gotta start realising he's not managing a mid-level club where constant overpraise may motivate the players. Here, it just allows the players to be complacent.

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  32. Jamie u r a twat

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  33. With respect, Jamie, that's you saying those things are minor- a lot of people disagree with that , in some cases myself included.

    I've noticed quite a few posts that do indeed challenge your views and include their counterarguments, only to be met with a reply referencing the 'masses' or 'majority' with your oft stated assertion that you want to write these things and don't care if they're popular.

    The arguments seem to be answered less and less in these cases.

    I don't think it's people 'moaning. I think the article as written presents a number of points/views that some people disagree with- they're referencing your article directly,so the content and context of what you've written IS important. How else can they ascertain your opinion?  Yes , there is some nitpicking, but overall you can't complain that people have considered some things more important than you do.

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  34. Does Sterling deserve this sort of praise? my bloody oath he does he has been great for a kid coming in at 17 he is outstanding.
    But he still has a lot of work to do to become an outstanding player of the league it wont overnight but it will happen.

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  35. You've interpretated it wrongly. Very wrongly. It's not about opinions it's about an incorrect interpretation. It's about adding elements to a perfectly understandable interview that you wished to discuss / hype up and presenting it as a reasonable depiction of what was said. When you do that about 18 year old kids that we as a club (supporters included) should be trying to protect you are contributing to a toxic atmosphere around the kid. He doesn't need that, he doesn't need that. Sure like any tabloid journalist you'll get loads of hits and notoriety for presenting your piece like this but as a fan it is wrong. The boy has had an England cap, a huge wage increase, two children and a court case within a couple of years. It's time to dampen the extreme hype and focus on him. If Rogers doesn't help with his shoving of the lad into the limelight you and others like you make it worse by turning the lights up higher for a misguided and exaggerated 'article'. We've seen what happened with Gazza right in front of our eyes. We want Sterling to grow within the club but away from unfair media scrutiny. More than most articles or blogs about the boy this has been the most unfair. It's a skewed discussion based on a false interpretation of a clear statement. Very disappointed in the direction you have chosen to take. You were here originally to debunk media myths. Now you just create them..

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  36. You've interpretated it wrongly. Very wrongly. It's not about opinions it's about an incorrect interpretation. It's about adding elements to a perfectly understandable interview that you wished to discuss / hype up and presenting it as a reasonable depiction of what was said. When you do that about 18 year old kids that we as a club (supporters included) should be trying to protect you are contributing to a toxic atmosphere around the kid. He doesn't need that, he doesn't need that. Sure like any tabloid journalist you'll get loads of hits and notoriety for presenting your piece like this but as a fan it is wrong. The boy has had an England cap, a huge wage increase, two children and a court case within a couple of years. It's time to dampen the extreme hype and focus on him. If Rogers doesn't help with his shoving of the lad into the limelight you and others like you make it worse by turning the lights up higher for a misguided and exaggerated 'article'. We've seen what happened with Gazza right in front of our eyes. We want Sterling to grow within the club but away from unfair media scrutiny. More than most articles or blogs about the boy this has been the most unfair. It's a skewed discussion based on a false interpretation of a clear statement. Very disappointed in the direction you have chosen to take.

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  37. Jamie, what BR is saying would be similar to Michael Laudrup saying `Michu is performing brilliantly at the moment, I don`t know of another striker who is having the same impact as him in his first season in the Prem`...he is not saying he is the best or ever will be, he is just desribing the player in a time frame. BR is (over) praising Sterling for his first 5 months  (as a 17 year old) as Laudrup would be entitled to with Michu. Neither are claiming that their player is the absolute best. Further to the posts by other people, perhaps if you didn`t always seek the negative in articles and look to post  forced contrary views then people might not flag this up as often. Your opinion is just as valid as the next informed supporter, but you cannot print dubious opinions and not expect them to be challanged ( in a non-personal way of course).

    Finally you are right when you say you can post your opinion regardless of public opinion, but you have to accept that other people have the right to give their opinion without you inviting them to go elsewhere. Its not that your not allowed to defend your view please try and stand your arguement up in a more constructive way rather than attacking other posters.

    Hope you take this in the spirit it was intended!

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  38. There must be something in the water because you are yet another person who just doesn't get it. How many times do I have to make the same point? It's unbelievable really.

    Please stop trying to make out that I have an issue with people disagreeing with me. That is total nonsense. Once again:

    * People can disagree with what I say to their heart's content.

    * Bitching about my approach (i.e. saying I'm negative/too critical etc) is not addressing the argument I make.

    How much clearer to do I have to make this?!

    Attack the argument, not the person. Anyone who rolls up here and continually moans about the site being too critical can go elsewhere. Anyone who wants to discuss football is welcome with open arms.

    This is a very clear point. Please stop misunderstanding it.

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  39. So what if I mention 'masses or majority'. That's what I think. I don't just say that, I also explain my POV too. Saying someone is part of a majority it not an insult, so why reference it?

    And your point about the 'argument being answered less and less' is a total misrepresentation. If 20 people ask the same question on a thread, I'm not going to answer it 20 separate times. I'll answer it at length once or twice, and then in much less detail on other posts.

    And once again, instead of just discussing the issues raised, you're moaning about irrelevant stuff. I don't have time to explain myself over and over again. People ascertain my opinion from what I write. It's very clear. If they can't handle the opinion because they deem it's too critical, then hard luck. They don't have to come here. They can go to another site where their views will be validated.

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  40. BR is lavish with his overpraising. Not the way to treat an 18 year old on 30K/week. If he feels that his comments are needed to encourage him, then we have the wrong player.
    I think this is probably a majority view?

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  41. Even if he is saying that Sterling is the best 17 year old in Europe, that is not even close to saying he is the best young player. You even state in your first paragraph that Rogers thinks Sterling is ONE of the best young players in Europe, a valid opinion shared by many football fans, pundits, coaches, and players.

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  42. Could it be that you have chosen this headline to attract readers to your article? It surely attracted me.

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  43. voodoo scatCartersfarm12:19 pm, March 02, 2013

    ok Jaimie lets get this right..people can say what they like, unless its saying you are being over critical or too negative (even though it might be done in a polite and well constructed way). When this happens they are automatically `bitching`and you throw a hissy fit and tell them to go elsewhere? It seems that all opinions are equal but yours is more equal than others  because you post the articles. Ever read Animal Farm?? I am not attacking you but your flawed logic in your argument. Again please take this in the right spirit and don`t get too flustered and irate. Regards. 

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  44. I tend to agree with Rodgers here. I can`t think of another 17 year old who has done as well as Sterling this season, in the prem at least. Its hard for me to comment on the rest of the world, as other than the major  european leagues, I don`t watch enough of the rest to really know if there is a 17 year old playing in the Brazilian league, or Austrailian leagues to compare them.

    Sterling has areas to improve on, mainly end product, but for his age he is doing very well. The comparisons to him and Rooney and Owen, with the suggestion they where miles ahead of him at that age, are unfair. They played in different positions, yet still in the attacking end, so it looks like it is being judged on goals alone, of which Owen and Rooney were doing better, but you would expect them to, as they are strikers. 

    Its also worth noting Sterling was a winger, who is now being played on the left of the front three, while it is not far off a wingers role, the main difference is as a winger, the end product is more about assists, where as just left of the front three its about goals. This change to his role, will take a bit of time to gel in. With that in mind, it shows he has done extra well, to not look to out of place playing a role which is new too him. I also think this is why his end product has been the area that needs work, as he is still learning that role.

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  45. Hi Jaimie, you must be a bit confused as to the veroscity of the comments about the headline, I know I am.

    It's only a headline! It must be a generally good day for most people if all they have to complain about is the wording of it. I mean it's not like you've accused Suarez of cheating ;)

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  46. There is no one in the A league under 21 that comes close to Sterling and that includes Rojas.

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  47. Hi Jamie
    Do you think he may be setting up a bit of a smoke screen to help protect Sterling given the off-field events, take him out of the limelight by saying he overdone it a bit. That way he is out of the team and limelight during what is potentially a very stressful time.

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  48. Liverpoolfanmalaysia2:04 pm, March 02, 2013

    When BR mentioned about RS is the most influential 17 years old player in  Europe for season 2012/2013, it doesnt means that BR 'award' RS as best European Young Player instead of juz recognized his role as a crucial part of Liverpool in this season especially for the 1st half season where we lacked of width. You have to agree about that 'influential award' rather than 'the best all around award' that u misinterpreted juz now. I always read ur post as well without commenting any. U juz show ur self, how the media spinning all over the time where the statement misinterpreted and quote juz some part rather than interpreted as whole statement. Im a Malaysia Fan Base Liverpool Fan, slightly agreed juz some of ur critical comment. But most of that, im its juz spinning all over time.  

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  49.  Owen and Rooney are are Strikers Sterling is not

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  50. Jaimie seeing as Br and You don't know all the best players at 17 years old in Europe playing in equivalent leagues , the answer would and should be BR doesn't know that and neither do you.

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  51. its not my view. Agree he can over praise, but to suggest that any player at 17/18 who needs praise is the wrong type, isnt something I agree with. Even some of the best players in the world, still needed praise in the peak of there greatness. People are different, some need a stern talking to, to get them going, for others that will have the opposite effect, some need a arm round the shoulder, others don`t, neither type though, has any reflection on there footballing skills, or how great they might become. They maybe footballers but they are still normal people, who have normal emotions, and need the same things as normal people need. Sometimes I feel that because they play football, and get paid well, this means they suddenly aren`t affected by the same things people who arent football get affected by. Its a non-argument for me, as it fits in the same bracket as "he gets paid 80k a week, so should be better than he is" this is a non-argument as it don`t matter how much someone is paid, they cant be better than they are, and money doesn`t magically make you better. If you paid me 100k a week, I would still not be any better than before, just a lot richer.

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  52. agree that maybe Jamie doesn`t, as like myself is just a fan of football, but you would hope Br does, as that is part of his job, or the scouts job, who should then report it to him. If I ever found out that any manager of ours didn`t know who was doing well in different leagues at such young ages, I would be very worried.

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  53. Raheem Sterling too boring for LFC team now.......10 He must start changing style of playing.He must faster,clever and briliant to make decision.Some times he very to keep very longer the at his feet.This is will give many contenders players can running down to protect their fortress and so hard to penetrate penalty box.Some times the will missing like that and cannot arrive to strikers. 2) Sometimes he scare to dribble the ball when needed.He never do that thing.He struggle to make a trouble to defensive players.Please forget to claim penalty and focus to scoring the goal. 3) He is lazy to make many try shooting the ball.He need to practice to making the goal outside penalty box with giving high speed shooting the ball.

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  54. Theycallmemrburt12:48 pm, March 03, 2013

    Overrated............

    I had reservations about the boys game at youth level!  He needs to improve massively.  Milner, Aaron Lennon and Oxlade chamberlain were all 30% better than Sterling at 17. 

    Sterling isn't a technical player.  He relies on his physical attributes.  But what he is finding is that almost every fullback he comes up against matches or betters his physical gifts.  I think he will struggle unless he is moved to a central position.

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