Featured: Sterling: I'm a different player now

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Raheem Sterling says that a ‘back to basics’ approach has been the key to his brilliant form in 2014.

 

Speaking in the latest issue of the official Liverpool FC magazine, the 19 year old reveals that he lost his way due to ‘looking for the easy option’ and ‘worrying about making a mistake’.

 

"Maybe on the outside people had the impression I've always been really confident. But after a good start I started looking for easy options rather than taking a chance myself, beating a man, taking a shot on myself. I'd stopped being natural, all the things that I'd done which got me into the first team in the first place.

 

"You could look at the City goal as an example. I'm not trying to sound cheeky or over confident but three or four months ago I would have squared rather than take the responsibility all for myself.

 

Sterling burst onto the scene as a raw 17 year old and was a fixture in the side when Brendan Rodgers first took over, before a dip in form and an injury saw his progress stall somewhat in the second half of the season. Looking back on that time he admits that he may have fallen into the trap many young players do and started thinking he’d ‘made it’.

 

"My goal was always to play for Liverpool when I first came here and maybe for a while I thought that goal was achieved because I was one of the lucky ones to do it” he explained. “But you realise that is not enough. There always has to be the next challenge, to achieve things and win things - making your mark.

 

"From December time I realised I had to start stamping my personality, running with the ball, running into the box, making goals, scoring goals. Not playing with that barrier, not to be worried about making mistakes."

 

From that moment on the teenager hasn’t looked back, excelling in a variety of roles even including right back, and during the course of this season he’s shown there’s far more to his game than many - including even himself - had realised.

 

"Since coming here at 15, I was on the left," he said. "I only thought I could play left wing. But in the first team my best performances have probably been on the right or behind the strikers.

 

"I feel like I'm a different player now with more to offer. I realise too that playing in all positions has helped me this season. Being a No 10 is something I'd like to do more of in the future. It suits me."

 

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[DanDanShaw]

That's all a smoke screen, he read the thread on here and realise he didn't have long left.  After all, we can't carry a player like Sterling forever.

[nando1000]

Raheem Sterling reportedly to be offered massive new five-year deal at Liverpool worth £100,000-a-week

 

Raheem Sterling is set to be offered a hefty new Liverpool contract, according to reports.It is understood that negotiations for a new deal will start after the World Cup and the youngster is likely to receive a huge increase on his current £35,000-a-week deal.

With good performances in Brazil likely to make Sterling a sought-after player this summer, Liverpool are moving to ensure that they hold off any potential interest in their teenage star.

The Anfield club are thought to be preparing to offer the 19-year-old a five-year deal worth up to £100,000-a-week, which would make him one of the best paid players at the club.

Sterling's form this season has seen him emerge as one of the league's brightest talents and force his way into Roy Hodgson's plans for the World Cup.

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/raheem-sterling-reportedly-to-be-offered-massive-new-fiveyear-deal-at-liverpool-worth-100000aweek-9467747.html

[moof]

Fuck me. That would make him our third highest paid player wouldn't it?

[moof]

He's worth it though.

[Captain]

£100K?

 

I fucking hope not!

[Lario]

Why £100k ffs?

Surely he'd be delights with a bump up to £50k? Or even double his money to £70k? £100k is ludacris!