RAHEEM Sterling is set to take only a minor role in Liverpool FC’s remaining games this season after Brendan Rodgers claimed the Jamaican was suffering from a burnout, which has led to a slight dip in form.
Sterling flew onto the scene and has already notched 35 appearances for the Reds, earned his first England cap in the process.
The Liverpool manager is now looking to give Sterling a break in a bid to give him time to rest and hone his skills for next season.
Rodgers took to Liverpool’s website to discuss the issue.
“It’s just a very physically demanding league and what you’re seeing now is more tiredness of the legs when before he could go up to people and take them on, that zip has gone and that’s down to fatigue. Was that to be expected? Yes it was”
Despite only joining Liverpool 3 years ago as a 15 year old, Sterling has already shot into the spotlight and the Reds boss wants to slow down this process as he is worried it will fatigue the winger.
“This is a kid we’re talking about so we have to take a wee step back. What he’s done since he stepped onto the pitch against Leverkusen in a friendly, then Manchester City, as a 17-year-old, I dare you to look around Europe and tell me a 17-year-old who has made an impact in one of the big leagues. There aren’t many. It is so mentally and physically draining this league. It hurts experienced professionals and this boy has just stepped up from the Academy and played football and earned a contract off that.”
After making a mere 3 appearances for Liverpool last season, Rodgers will obviously be keen not to overwork Sterling as he shows the potential to be a great player.
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Bodgers decision to throw a 17 year old kid into a physical league is another damning indictment on his poor decision making at the club. While he wasted money on others who never even played like Assaidi, nonsensical buffoonery.
BR overplayed Raheem, playing twice a week every week for months. When Giggs was 17 Fergie was always resting him, giving him time to recover and maintain his ‘zip’. Raheem was always likely to be inconsistent (that’s part of being a young player learning the game), but being knackered half way through the season is due to Rodgers’ mismanagement of him. Hopefully he’ll be fully recovered for next season.
Poor management by Rodgers . Dalglish was handling the kid properly