A Problem like Sterling?
Over the
past couple of months, it’s been widely reported that Liverpool’s Raheem
Sterling is seeking a move away from the club. Sterling, who won the European
Golden Boy award for 2014, is currently being pursued by Manchester City, and
so is stopping at nothing to secure a sky-blue shirt for next season.
The media
is choosing to portray this saga in one light, and one light only - Liverpool
are being undeservedly attacked and deserve great deals of sympathy.
The older
generation's obsession with the Merseyside outfit means that Liverpool as a
club can only ever be viewed in a positive fashion when in the spotlight. For
everyone that isn’t a Liverpool fan, it’s incredibly nauseating.
This isn't helped by the fact that many pundits on Sky Sports are either Liverpool fans or ex-players (Redknapp, Souness, Carragher, Thompson...). Not so long ago, they were singing his praises and insisting he was the best thing since sliced bread - go against their beloved Liverpool though, and that means he's not that good.
This isn't helped by the fact that many pundits on Sky Sports are either Liverpool fans or ex-players (Redknapp, Souness, Carragher, Thompson...). Not so long ago, they were singing his praises and insisting he was the best thing since sliced bread - go against their beloved Liverpool though, and that means he's not that good.
Souness and Redknapp, gutted at Liverpool not finding an easier tie.
A recent
Mirror article (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/raheem-sterlings-spiteful-cowardly-attack-6043184#ICID=sharebar_twitter)
has described Sterling’s actions as “borderline criminal”, insisting that he
owes Brendan Rodgers and the club a debt for putting faith in him.
Yes.
An employer
is owed by an employee for being good at what he does.
The Mirror article describes Luis Suarez’s exit as one with “class”,
completely ignoring the fact he once went to two national newspapers insisting
he wanted to move from Liverpool to Arsenal.
To keep the
bias towards Liverpool rolling, the article slanders Manchester City, insisting
that Sterling wouldn’t have been given the chance at the Etihad Stadium,
completely ignoring the fact Sterling is an exceptional footballer.
Brendan
Rodgers is being depicted as the victim, as if he is completely blameless in
this ordeal - sure, it’s not like he played Sterling out of position for the
entirety of last season.
Sterling played just 3 times on the right wing last season, whilst a further 3 times as an attacking midfielder (source: whoscored.com)
Many of the Liverpool faithful were calling for Rodgers's head after their 6-1 drubbing at Stoke City; he had run out of shocking excuses and weird, weird anecdotes. However, once a player turns against him, ooh suddenly they've gone too far. Hypocriticism at it's finest.
Reds fans are quick to claim that Sterling is at a club whose size that is perfect for his development, but after a whole year in a side without any identity or direction, is it really the right club in particular?
Reds fans are quick to claim that Sterling is at a club whose size that is perfect for his development, but after a whole year in a side without any identity or direction, is it really the right club in particular?
In May, Gary
Neville wrote that “Liverpool are stuck in the past and in danger of becoming a
provincial club”, and it’s a statement that’s hard to argue against. The club
struts around off-the-pitch as if they’re still consistently winning titles and
trophies, and they need to accept their current status.
Sterling’s
agent confirmed a while ago that the England international wouldn’t sign a deal
for Liverpool regardless of wage - somehow, Liverpool fans made up the idea
that Sterling is money-grabbing. No lads, he’s ambitious.
Sterling
was absent from training this week, citing illness as his reason. However, The
Times reported that Liverpool sent a doctor to Sterling’s house to investigate
whether this was true. Of course, the media sees Sterling as telling lies,
instead of suggesting that he could legitimately be ill (oh, and they fail to highlight
Liverpool’s actions as petty).
Classy, lads.
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, whose opinion is undoubtedly still held in high regard at Anfield, has claimed he is "very disappointed" by Sterling's actions...
Whilst no player is bigger than their club, modern day football highlights that players are no longer willing to stay at one club, and instead wish to achieve goals elsewhere. Liverpool haven't realised this, and it echoes Neville's claims of their provincial status. They need to adapt and realise they're not being attacked, but are involved in a normal footballing situation - a club that succeeds doesn't stand in principle because their club is big.
This saga will surely only end with Raheem Sterling at Manchester City. Unfortunately, the media’s fixation with Liverpool will ensure life thirty-four miles over will be total, undeserved hell. If he feels (understandably) unhappy at Liverpool, then he has every right to leave.
Nice one, Stevie.
Whilst no player is bigger than their club, modern day football highlights that players are no longer willing to stay at one club, and instead wish to achieve goals elsewhere. Liverpool haven't realised this, and it echoes Neville's claims of their provincial status. They need to adapt and realise they're not being attacked, but are involved in a normal footballing situation - a club that succeeds doesn't stand in principle because their club is big.
This saga will surely only end with Raheem Sterling at Manchester City. Unfortunately, the media’s fixation with Liverpool will ensure life thirty-four miles over will be total, undeserved hell. If he feels (understandably) unhappy at Liverpool, then he has every right to leave.
