Raheem Sterling (Liverpool > Man City)

You know, with all the fuss over the possibility of Raheem burning out by playing too much, I got the feeling watching the game yesterday that it's not only about how *much* he plays, but also .... *how* he plays.

Last season, when our attack was so free-flowing and natural, it seemed almost like the players were just gliding through defences like butter, with almost no effort at all.  I think that Raheem could easily play almost every game like that, without any great damage to himself, if any at all.

But watching the West Ham game, it was completely different, he would get the ball in almost a dead standing position, and then he would have to go from 0 to 60 all on his own, with defenders all over him, with the other attackers standing around etc.  Surely that takes much more effort than playing the way we did last season.

Last season, we were passing and moving, and Suarez or Sturridge or Coutinho would hit Raheem in his stride, so he would already have his momentum going, and then he would lay it off to someone, etc etc, and so on and so forth.  This season---apart from away at Spurs---there is much more work required for Raheem to get his space, less effort taken off of his shoulders by the other attackers, most of whom aren't at his level, etc.

Playing the way we did last season, Raheem could play every game.  Playing the way we did yesterday, he will indeed burn out rather quickly.

Thought he had an excellent game, apart from the brainfart at the end of normal time, and the pen miss. What a player we have.

Its getting slightly uncomfortable to rely on someone so young to be your best player in the games we have had this season.

Thought he had an excellent game, apart from the brainfart at the end of normal time, and the pen miss. What a player we have.

Its getting slightly uncomfortable to rely on someone so young to be your best player in the games we have had this season.

Should not have played 120mins considering the game on the weekend.

Onus is on this lad this season. It'll show just how mature he is, but in one sense I feel it's unnecessary for a player of such young age to have such expectations. Luis took so much pressure off the young lads shoulders and I feel this helped him significantly. Sure, he'll probably have to mature quicker now but being the top dog here, I hope his perspective on us does not change. I feel he admired playing behind Sturridge and Suarez. Now he is the focal point of Liverpool FC and is expected to win us games on his own.

That back pass knocked his confidence I think, didn't look comfortable stepping up for his penalty. Hopefully it wont have a negative impact on him for the next game.

The only criticism of Raheem is giving/losing the ball away cheaply when in possession when we should be running the clock down, did it in the champions league game and now against Boro, it's just inexperience I know, but has to learn from it. Apart from that he is our most dangerous player. 

Yeah quite right. Apart from that last night though I thought he was head and shoulders above anybody else on the pitch.

He was f**king everywhere.

Missed a penalty, and partly caused the equaliser.
BUT he was still far and away our best player.
You could see how some of the things he did (like being pushed over, then took a quick free kick to break) he seemed to have learned from Suarez.

His stamina is greatly improved, tho I think the inevitably tiredness caused him to slip up once or twice late on.
He's certainly becoming a leader. Shame players around him let us down.

Too deep at the start to have an effect was better and more effective later in the game but still needs to improve obviously but he kept going, thought he was pretty average to be honest.

Ah here we go. Lock him into a contract with a silly release clause of 100+m.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/watch-liverpool-echo-sports-editor-7823965

Now he is the focal point of Liverpool FC and is expected to win us games on his own.

Isn't that a bit too much to ask at this moment?

I think Raheem deserves a new and improved contract, but unfortunately this will not stop clubs like Real Madrid coming in and making a bid for the player. They seem to have more money than sense tbh.

Ah here we go. Lock him into a contract with a silly release clause of 100+m.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/watch-liverpool-echo-sports-editor-7823965

They would probably still pay the release clause, !

Yes, give him a new contract, but end of the day, If someone puts in a bid and he wants to leave, so be it, no player is bigger than the club.

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/blog/transfer-talk/79/post/2071880/transfer-talk-paris-saint-germain-enter-race-for-raheem-sterlings-signature

Whether this is complete crap or not, don't like to see it, must unsettle players. Certainly does me 

I have some question marks over his loyalty to our club, hopefully i'm wrong and he signs a new improved contract.

I have some question marks over his loyalty to our club

Why?

@TonyBarretTimes: Liverpool made an approach to Raheem Sterling's representatives in the last fortnight & talks on a new deal are set to begin soon.

I have some question marks over his loyalty to our club, hopefully i'm wrong and he signs a new improved contract.

 

i have worried about his form in the past around the time of contract talks, he seems to not be totally focussed on doing his job which he's still getting paid fortunes for.
To all those worrying about other clubs interest, it's a good sign obviously. If we had more young players that the big clubs were after, we'd know we had top class talent at the club.

He looks like could do with a break, unfortunately with the International's Woy will flog him every game.

Isn't that a bit too much to ask at this moment?

Indeed, which could explain his drop in performance due to the weight on his shoulders. With Lallana improving with each game that passes, this will hopefully take Raheem out of the spotlight for a good while. Not to forget that Sturridge will soon be returning to the team.

I have some question marks over his loyalty to our club, hopefully i'm wrong and he signs a new improved contract.

You have no grounds to have such question marks.

I have some question marks over his loyalty to our club, hopefully i'm wrong and he signs a new improved contract.

Well I have some question marks over your loyalty to our club. Last week you wanted Brendan sacked now you're on Raheems case

I see that thick tw*t Hodgson has dropped another clanger with one of our lads with his latest comments in the media opening up Raheem for all sorts of criticism. I didn't think it possible that he could do more damage as England manager than he did when he had the Anfield job but he has made a pretty good fist of it