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      Raheem Sterling (Liverpool > Man City)

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      MarkMitt
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2691: May 21, 2015 06:05:06 pm
      There are certain ways of going about things. Raheem has done everything completely wrong in the most disrespectful of ways. He should never kick another ball in the Liverpool red! He made his choices now let him rot...
      LFCexiled
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2692: May 21, 2015 06:42:48 pm
      You decide....

      Is Raheem Sterling worth the fuss? Here's what the stats say about the Liverpool star

      The England starlet has hit the headlines once again as his contract saga continues to drag on - but is he worth the bother?

      What of the future: Where will Sterling's contract situation take him?
      Raheem Sterling's Liverpool future is up in the air - but he says it isn't about the money.

      The England starlet has two years left on his contract at Anfield, but negotiations over a new deal have reached an impasse. His current £35,000-a-week deal - inked two years ago - continues to be in play, despite Liverpool's want to hand the 20-year-old a new £100,000-a-week deal.

      Sterling has rejected that offer, while declaring that he doesn't "want to be seen as money-grabbing" and intimating that he would have taken a lesser deal earlier - had it been offered. He's also told Brendan Rodgers that he wants to leave the club.

      The youngster, has questioned the club and whether it is the right place for him to develop. Whether he would be better off elsewhere, challenging for trophies and looking to be in the Champions League every year.

      But how will it end? Manchester United are keen. Manchester City and Arsenal too. Plus, you wouldn't expect Jose Mourinho to just sit, looking on, without making their own enquiries.

      Now, with his agent having apparently decided that he won't sign a new deal, whatever the price, his future at Anfield looks as close to being over as possible.

      However how vital is Sterling to Liverpool, having been named their Young Player of the Year?

      We've crunched the numbers and taken a look at the relevant stats to see whether it's in Liverpool's interest to do whatever it takes to keep Sterling at Anfield?

      Or should they decide to stand their ground, and cash in?

      How good is he?
       
      Last season Sterling made his true breakthrough into the Liverpool first XI, and became important to Rodgers' side. Yet he was protected.

      Protected because world-class striker Luis Suarez was in the form of his life, making goals, scoring goals and genuinely terrifying defenders, Daniel Sturridge was enjoying the best year of his career and Steven Gerrard remained the team's outstanding leader, featuring week-in, week-out. They had to deal with the harshest scrutiny, while Sterling was allowed to develop in, if not their shadow, then at least the shade.

      This season has been different. Suarez has gone, Sturridge and Gerrard have both struggled with injuries, new signings have struggled to adapt and formation changes have been made; the team underachieved in Europe and has been on the verge of the top four race rather than at its heart.

      Sterling is right: Liverpool haven't proven they can match his ambition

      With the aforementioned trio having left or not been available, Sterling has been thrust into the role of main man. And, despite featuring in a number of different positions - wing back, centre-forward, attacking midfield - it is something which he has rolled with.

      It's noticeable on the eye how much more dangerous the Reds look in the final third, how threatened opponents are when Sterling is the furthest man forward. You could argue that him moving to become the side's focal point in December saved their domestic season. Similarly, when Sterling plays as one of Rodgers' twin No.10s alongside Philippe Coutinho, it is noticeable how much drive and intent they counter with, with that pair at the heart of most breaks forward.

      Goals wise, he's Liverpool's second-top Premier League goalscorer this season - and unlike Gerrard, he doesn't take penalties and free-kicks. He's also laid on eight more for teammates, two less than leader Jordan Henderson. Again, when Gerrard is absent, Henderson often finds himself on corner kick duty.

      Raheem Sterling - Premier League 2014/15
      3,045
      Minutes played

      7
      Goals

      8
      Assists

      Neither figure is out of this world. But both show a considerable level of improvement from 2013-14.

      Last term, Liverpool managed 101 Premier League goals, of which Sterling struck nine. He also added seven assists, which means he played a critical part in 0.14 of goals.

      This season, Liverpool have been nowhere near as prolific, scoring just 62 times in their 37 matches so far. But Sterling has played a part in 15 of those goals, meaning his ratio has almost doubled, despite having been involved in one goal less; he has picked up more than his share of the slack, and is proving himself twice as effective. That's some level of growth.

      And that's all despite Sterling only ranking as 21st in the Premier League with regards percentage of a team's touches in the final-third. Just imagine if Brendan Rodgers could find a way to ensure he was ranking number one, two or three instead.

      So there's no doubt that over the course of the last 12 months his game has made forward strides. Heck, head back to December 2013 and he wasn't even a definite first-choice.

      Now however, you would be well within your rights to say that he is now FAR MORE VALUABLE to Liverpool than he has been at any point in his fledgling career so far.

      How does he compare with the Premier League's chief creators?

      So clearly he's worth plenty to Liverpool. But what is he worth to others?

      The likes of Arsenal and Manchester City have been linked with an interest and you would imagine both Chelsea and Manchester United will also be monitoring events.

      But is there anything to suggest that he would be an automatic starter at any of those clubs? That if he did exchange Anfield for the Emirates, the Etihad, Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford, he would continue on what is an upward career trajectory? Or would he suffer the Shaun Wright-Phillips effect, see his career stall and never be able to reach those heights again?

      This term, Sterling ranks highly across a number of varying statistic tables. Take assists as a prime example.

      Selected Premier League assists 2014-15

      Assists
      Via Opta
      He has seven to his name, less than Chelsea's Oscar ( 8 ) and Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez (also 8 ). It's below Cesc Fabregas (18 ), Angel Di Maria (10), and Eden Hazard ( 8 ) as well, but is the same as Manchester City's David Silva (7).


      But would he take the place of any of those players in their respective sides?

      All have proven themselves world-class performers - even Di Maria, despite what has been a pretty disastrous season for the Argentine.

      Certainly there has been a slowdown in Sterling's impact over the last 4-6 weeks. But if we head back to the start of April to look at some other statistics, you can see that he wasn't far off some of the league's leading lights in terms of productivity.

      Chances created from open play
      Eden Hazard
      78
      David Silva
      64
      Raheem Sterling
      62

      Additionally, it's not just that he creates chances himself - his ability to beat a man and scare defenders sees him win the opportunity for others to do so, either via opening up play by breaking past a man or by winning set-pieces with his speed and trickery.

      Unsurprisingly given his outstanding form, Hazard leads the way in terms of dribbles attempted (223) and dribbles completed (135), followed by Alexis (181 attempted - 94 completed).

      But Sterling also featured prominently, having attempted 172 dribbles completing 83
      . His completion percentage shows that he still he isn't quite at the level of that pair, but both are more experienced and spoken of as genuine world stars.

      And in terms of fouls won, only Hazard (86) has won more than the 72 Sterling has claimed from opponents.

      Dribble % completion
      60.5%
      Eden Hazard

      51.9%
      Alexis Sanchez

      48.2%
      Raheem Sterling


      So where from here?
      Well according to Brendan Rodgers, nowhere.

      “He’s not going anywhere in the summer - Liverpool is one of the superpowers of football and the owners have made it clear the money doesn't come into it. If the club doesn't want to sell, they won’t."

      And that continues to be the message. They say that Sterling simply isn't for sale.

      Given the improvements to Sterling's game in the last 12-16 months - the increased consistency, greater importance to the side - it's easy to understand why Rodgers wants to keep his prized asset. Likewise, it's easy to see why others covet the Reds No.31, given both what he is currently doing and what he seems capable of potentially.

      But for the most part that's what Sterling remains: Potential. Maybe the European Golden Boy award he won in December has made him believe he's world-class and done something special in the game. In truth, he hasn't.

      At his age Michael Owen had two 23-goal seasons under his belt. Robbie Fowler had a 31-goal campaign under his, while Steve McManaman had led Sunderland a merry dance in an FA Cup final success.

      Elsewhere, Hazard had shone as unfancied Lille claimed a French double, Wayne Rooney had been named PFA Young Player of the Year and ran riot at Euro 2004 and Lionel Messi was already a double La Liga and Champions League winner.

      Certainly, he has yet to match such achievements. It's little wonder why Jamie Carragher was so furious on Monday Night Football.


      Maybe that's why he wants to leave Merseyside - because he believes he may not be able to at Anfield. But Liverpool will know that when they look across the top European leagues, there are few 20-year-olds (if any) performing as well, as consistently, as Sterling.

      For both player and club, it's an interesting balancing act on a number of levels. And it leaves decisions to be made. Friday's meeting to discuss his future has now been cancelled but both parties need a swift end to this entire saga.

      And when it does end, the outcome could shape both a career, and the future of a football club.

      Not for me lad, sorry.
      Rush
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2693: May 21, 2015 06:56:59 pm
      Can we lock this thread then, seeing as he's told us to piss off and that no amount of cash would keep him here? Forums are being polluted enough by two of the lad's threads in any case.

      Let the purge begin!
      LFCexiled
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2694: May 21, 2015 07:27:49 pm
      LFC Karl
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2695: May 21, 2015 09:33:22 pm
      Reminder

      This thread about the players on the field activity.

      F**k all to talk about so...
      Brian78
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2696: May 23, 2015 09:33:40 am
      Sad that this little fooked is stealing the limelight away from the end of one of the greatest careers ever seen at Anfield.

      Can't believe some would gladly keep him here.
      waltonl4
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2697: May 23, 2015 12:46:53 pm
      Sad that this little fooked is stealing the limelight away from the end of one of the greatest careers ever seen at Anfield.

      Can't believe some would gladly keep him here.

      not for me even though I understand a lot of stuff in the press is just hype anyone who disrespects 123 years of history isnt worthy of wearing the Red shirt. His presence in the dressing room must be toxic so why is he even still here.
      fishpie
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2698: May 24, 2015 11:40:42 am
      I would like to play "Devil's Advocate" For a moment..... Let's say we refuse to sell this season, Most of you presume that this will force him to player harder to attach suitor thus making us (LFC) more of a top four proportion.... What if it makes him more selfish and chase trying to score from impossible angles when to opportunity to pass for a tapping is on there for spurning nailed on chance to win games costing us a top four, or even a top six finish?

      Plus by playing him we deny some one like Sinclair his chance to play,learn and improve for another season. This is why I for one would advocate selling him and moving on

      That's the opposite of Devils advocate because your description is the very thing that will happen.
      Unfortunate as it is, Devils advocate mode would be saying: he will thrive if he stays, this will test his character, his agent corrupted him, Brendan Rodgers fu**ed his mind up...

      In other words, the tide has been turned and he isn't even that great anyway, he's talented but not even close to the levels of say Michael Owen (who was young also when he came into the team and better at a younger age) so who the F**k does this cockney think he is? ( like cockneys btw, a lot of my family live there, god help them ;D)

      I think near enough everyone on this forum is aware of the limitations he has and they aren't really thinking that may ever change just because he'll develop purely just because he gets to the age of 26 instead of 20.
      Brian78
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2699: May 24, 2015 10:31:17 pm
      Genuine question

      Could Liverpool but the smug little fooker on a form of gardening leave whereby we let him rot for 2 years not even getting a game with the reserves. So when is contract is up he'd be so badly out of shape that only April would take him back?

      Does he have rights?
      mcarz
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2700: May 25, 2015 12:29:20 am
      Genuine question

      Could Liverpool but the smug little fooker on a form of gardening leave whereby we let him rot for 2 years not even getting a game with the reserves. So when is contract is up he'd be so badly out of shape that only April would take him back?

      Does he have rights?

      Yes I believe he has rights which would mean we're unable to do this. Why would we want to do this? Somebody will 100% come in for him on a free at the end of the 2 years anyway so it's a lose - lose for us. Either play him or sell him, no point creating an episode of Coronation Street out of it all.
      Son Of A Gun
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2701: May 28, 2015 01:59:32 am
      Rafa may take Sterling to Madrid rumours suggest.

      He did after all bring him to Liverpool, I wouldn't be surprised to see him reunited with him. If he has to leave, is rather it was abroad obviously.
      FATKOPITE10
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2702: May 28, 2015 08:48:25 am
      Rafa may take Sterling to Madrid rumours suggest.

      He did after all bring him to Liverpool, I wouldn't be surprised to see him reunited with him. If he has to leave, is rather it was abroad obviously.

      There is no chance of sterling going to Real Madrid, not good enough at this stage of his career
      PurpleMonkey
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2703: May 28, 2015 10:57:56 am
      Hope it's true and Rafa does us a favour by taking him away from us. Perhaps he could throw in Isco and Illara instead of cash :D
      David Wright
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2704: May 28, 2015 11:02:14 am
      Isn't  it a case of needing a worthy return player wise for our Sterling this Summer.
      TheRedMosquito
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2705: May 28, 2015 02:37:57 pm
      Rafa may take Sterling to Madrid rumours suggest.

      He did after all bring him to Liverpool, I wouldn't be surprised to see him reunited with him. If he has to leave, is rather it was abroad obviously.

      There is no chance of sterling going to Real Madrid, not good enough at this stage of his career

      Sterling would get eaten alive at Real. Bale scored 13 league goals and notched 9 assists and they still boo him.
      mcarz
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2706: May 28, 2015 02:41:15 pm
      Sterling would get eaten alive at Real. Bale scored 13 league goals and notched 9 assists and they still boo him.

      They did spend a world record fee on Bale though, massive difference.
      HScRed1
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2707: May 28, 2015 02:43:54 pm
      Real fans are almost up there with the Chavs as the worst fans in Europe.
      Swab
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2708: May 28, 2015 02:44:53 pm
      Why on earth do people think Rafa would buy him?

      For starters, the coach has little input into signings there.
      Poko
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2709: May 28, 2015 04:14:26 pm
      Why on earth do people think Rafa would buy him?

      For starters, the coach has little input into signings there.

      This. Managers at Real are just puppets. Why do you think most never last that long? Perez gets his way and if you try to alter that you're gone.
      7-King Kenny-7
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2710: May 28, 2015 06:23:21 pm
      Why on earth do people think Rafa would buy him?

      For starters, the coach has little input into signings there.

      I doubt Rafa would go there if he was going to be a puppet.
      FL Red
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2711: May 28, 2015 06:33:24 pm
      I doubt Rafa would go there if he was going to be a puppet.

      Would he have come to LFC when they sacked Kenny?
      Swab
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2712: May 28, 2015 06:34:19 pm
      I doubt Rafa would go there if he was going to be a puppet.

      oh I dunno.
      He knows the score there, and still covets the job.
      Just as long as he didn't end up with a footstool instead of the high end massage chair he wanted ;)
      Swab
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      Re: Raheem Sterling Player Thread
      Reply #2713: May 28, 2015 06:35:20 pm
      Would he have come to LFC when they sacked Kenny?

      I remain convinced, to this day, that this is the reason he picked a fight with the Inter boss at that exact time.

      The timing of it is too much to be purely coincidental.

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