With Raheem Sterling’s Liverpool future cast into further doubt after his controversial interview with BBC Sport, it looks as though the Reds starlet wants out of the club as he continues to snub big-money offers to stay at Anfield.
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While it is never a great situation for a club into, the fact is Liverpool probably need Sterling more than he needs them right now. There’s no doubt at all that this immensely talented 20-year-old has the world at his feet and could get a good offer from any number of big clubs around Europe, many of whom could offer more money, just as much playing time, and certainly more chances of silverware for the England winger than his current club can.
Liverpool won’t want to be held to ransom, but they may have to accept defeat here and offer Sterling whatever it is he wants to keep him from potentially a decade of star service for a rival like Arsenal or Chelsea. That is an unthinkable situation for Liverpool, who already face an uphill battle to challenge these sides as it is.
Although the 20-year-old has already turned down some frankly absurd offers from the Reds, it probably wouldn’t take a lot more for the club to finally see him give in and commit his future. Let’s not forget, Sterling is the team’s top scorer this season, and their top assist provider – he is on his way to becoming as important as Luis Suarez was, and we all know how hard Liverpool fought to keep him at Anfield even for just one more season before cashing in on him. Big clubs keep their star players, and Liverpool have to do so if they have any hope of becoming a regular fixture in the Premier League’s top four, as well as challenging for honours every season.
More than £180,000 per week is a lot to pay for a player so young and in many ways so unproven, but it probably beats the kind of cash the club would have to fork out to find another top talent who could be a star for their side for the next ten years or more. Liverpool have to swallow their pride and make Sterling staying a priority.