Losing Sterling would be a blow, but hardly a disaster

On the 20th December 2014 Raheem Sterling was voted European Golden Boy. A long list of respected publications throughout Europe felt he was the most talented young player in Europe. This was perhaps the high point of his Liverpool career to date, but it came at a time that he may already have been thinking about his future.

Liverpool had gone from title challengers to league also-rans, and approaching Christmas the club was experiencing it’s worst start in the League for 50 years. The circus that surrounded Sterling’s contract negotiations has continued unabated to this day, with both the club and the player’s unscrupulous agent, Aidy Ward, both utilising the media in a rather unsavoury manner to get their points across.

This to-ing and fro-ing played out for all to see is of course anathema to the Liverpool way of doing things – a calm, decisive, behind the scenes strategy that was epitomised by the incredible administrative talents of Peter Robinson. Ian Ayre and the present administration do not seem to have the same control over matters.

Wading through the errors made by both sides in these very public contract negotiations is a mess. Partly because from the outside looking in there are a lot of tit-for-tat moves, and uncertainty on the truth behind the scenes.

What we do know is the club have used the Echo to put pressure on the player to sign a contract, primarily via James Pearce, and the agent has repeatedly given information to the Press, culminating in an unsanctioned interview with the BBC.

I am not going to go further into this poorly managed process. No doubt there is fault on both sides. However I would also point out that, although it seems likely, Sterling isn’t necessarily going.

Twice Wayne Rooney has put in a public transfer request at Manchester United. Twice he has signed a bumper new contract and now he is United and England Captain and the fans still sing his name every game. Convincing Sterling to stay, if it is at all possible, is likely to be a combination of Money and Trophies.

Ben Smith of the BBC intimated that, perhaps surprisingly, Sterling isn’t pleased with Rodgers and may change his mind if there was a change in manager. Regardless, a lot of things could still happen and he is still a Liverpool player for the time being.

However if we do lose Sterling, it’s important to note we are not losing a great player. We are losing a player with great potential.

At 20 years old and clearly talented Raheem’s career looks like it is on the up. But Liverpool have lost far, far better players in the past and moved on.

Suarez, Torres, Alonso, Mascherano, Owen, McManaman and Kevin Keegan were all at the top of their games when they left. Players the team absolutely relied upon to succeed. No doubt the club was, in most cases, worse off by their departure, but Sterling is nowhere near their level.

Sterling has not had a bad season. He’s had a good but not great season. He’s scored 11 goals in 47 games, 7 of which were in the Premier League, with 8 assists. These are good stats for a youngster. Just not the stats of a £150k a week player. Only Jordan Henderson and Simon Mignolet have played more minutes too.

And yet when it has mattered he has repeatedly shown that he is not yet a top player. His technique and first touch consistently lets him down, while his finishing on either foot or head is inconsistent. In big games he rarely produces. The first time he was played as a striker away at Old Trafford he missed 3 clear one on ones that would’ve changed the game. In quarter finals and semi-finals he has been a peripheral figure. As he has been against quality opposition – he has failed to score against any of the top four sides this season.

This is natural for a youngster who is still improving, which makes his heightened sense of entitlement even more baffling. And leads many, including the vocal Jamie Carragher, to put most of the blame with his Agent.

The reality is that he wouldn’t be a regular starter for United, Arsenal, City or Chelsea. He wouldn’t get anywhere near the team at Bayern, Madrid or Barca. So his options are limited anyway. Besides, few teams could afford the transfer fee Liverpool are likely to demand.

This means his most likely route to leave is either at the end of next season when he has only 1 year left on his contract and his transfer fee will plummet, or in 2 years time as a free transfer.

Liverpool could play hard ball both with prospective suitors and the player if they wished. They could even relegate Sterling to the reserves or to train alone up until the point he is sold. If Liverpool set a high price and do not move from it Sterling could face a season of going backwards.

Whatever happens, Aidy Ward is wrong. Raheem Sterling is not yet the world beater he has convinved him he is. And neither does Sterling hold all the cards. Liverpool football club has dealt with such situations in the past and still endures. Over to you Mr. John W Henry.

You can catch more from me on my own blog: http://taintlessred.blogspot.co.uk/ or follow me on twitter: @taintlessred