In the wake of their Champions League exit, Liverpool need to make a statement of intent quickly about their ambitions and that means sorting out Raheem Sterling’s future. Liverpool and Sterling are “nowhere near any agreement” on a new contract, according to a source close to negotiations, although there are hopes of an eventual resolution.
Sterling faces his 100th game for Liverpool against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday and has been one of their stars of 2014. Sterling, who turned 20 on Monday, dovetailed brilliantly with Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suárez last season and, following a brief dip, signaled his talent again in recent games, particularly in the win over Leicester City last week. His form has not been at last season’s phenomenal levels but he represents a vital part of Liverpool’s future.
He played out on the right against Basel and then centre-forward but any praise for his selflessness and versatility was lost amidst Liverpool’s dismay at bowing out of the Champions League. With Sturridge injured, Suárez transferred to Barcelona and Mario Balotelli yet to justify his £16m purchase, Sterling has become even more important. He is a beacon of hope in difficult times for Liverpool.
Liverpool have been keen to tie down their most valuable player to a long-term deal. Sterling, whose current deal has more than two years left to run, is on roughly £30,000 with assorted first-team appearance bonuses. Liverpool’s new offer is understood to be £70,000 a week with handsome bonuses for progress in the major competitions.
Now that Liverpool are out of the Champions League and labouring in the Premier League the prospect of additional payments is clearly less likely. The offer was described as “nowhere near acceptable” by the source.
It is to be hoped that this is simply usual negotiating practice and that an agreement can be reached to secure the player’s long-term services, providing a well-timed fillip for the team. Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool’s manager, has already emphasised that he is “absolutely adamant” that Sterling is staying. Rodgers has also stated that he believes Sterling understands that Anfield is “the perfect place for him”. Liverpool’s manager enthused talked last week of the player’s willingness to “take on extra responsibility”, adding “he’s such a threat”.
Sterling, who has been linked with clubs like Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, has always indicated his desire to remain at Anfield and is “committed to the club” added the source. He has flourished under Rodgers, who has appreciated the youngster’s tactical versatility, including playing in the hole, as well as the pace and finishing touch that has brought him 15 goals for Liverpool.
Sterling has also become an established England international over the past 18 months, and Rodgers deserves credit for assisting that development. Rodgers also defended the player stoutly following Roy Hodgson’s unhelpful public mention of Sterling feeling too “tired” to train before England’s game in Estonia in October.
To borrow the words of the Beatles, Sterling and Liverpool should focus on the ethos of “we can work it out”. Sterling’s progress can continue under Rodgers before a later, lucrative move to the likes of Real Madrid. He would not currently get in Real’s starting XI whereas he is learning fast at Anfield. Yet there will be frustration for Sterling that Liverpool have not progressed in the major competitions, that some of the signings are not up to the standards expected of an ambitious club like Liverpool.
He has played in three competitions for Liverpool this season, including a surprise involvement in the Capital One Cup against Middlesbrough. Sterling could be forgiven for being slightly confused when he plays two hours against Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup but then starts on the bench at the Bernabéu in Liverpool’s most prestigious game of the season against Real.
Sterling cost only £600,000 when signed from QPR’s Academy in 2010 and has come to embody the Liverpool that Rodgers and their American owners want to portray: young, swift, clever and attack-minded. Liverpool simply cannot afford to lose him.
