Sterling's new deal.

[ratcatcher]

I thought this was pretty much sown up judging by his comments a few weeks ago but, it is suggested in this piece (and elsewhere) that is not the case.

 

An increase from around £30k to £70k is on the table.

 

Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling 'nowhere near agreement' over new deal despite £70,000-a-week offer After being offered a weekly payrise of £40,000, Liverpool youngster is understood to be unhappy with £70,000 a week wages following disappointing Champions League exit

 

Money matters: Raheem Sterling is understood to be unhappy with his new terms Photo: GETTY IMAGES

 

By Henry Winter, Football Correspondent

9:00PM GMT 10 Dec 2014

 

 

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.

 

[Wicket]

Roughly translated - Raheems agent not happy he wont be getting his cut of the bonuses now we are out of CL.

[Section_31]

[Horus]

He'll be at Chelsea at some point during the next 2 summer transfer windows.

[ZonkoVille77]

sell him...

 

joking of course. but he has the club over a barrell and he knows it. no less than 300K a week.

[Dr. J]

Can't believe young Raheem would miss out on a chance to stay on at and continue keeping with the increasingly rapidly parabolic second curve of this excellent, wonderful group.

[Section_31]

sell him...

 

joking of course. but he has the club over a barrell and he knows it. no less than 300K a week.

That's the problem when these players are talked up too much, the blues do it to get above market market value for players who're inevitably going to move on, the latest madness was Bobby Brown Shoes saying Barclay was going to be the greatest player 'England has ever seen' or some such mental shit. They're quite cynically clever at it.

 

They'll already be rubbing their hands together at the prospect of a £50 million City move, shortly after which he'll end up on loan at Burnley and eventually in jail for moving pirated films.

 

The problem is, we do it because we're just daft. He's been overplayed because our signings were shite, he's become a leading light rather than an understudy - again - because the rest are shite, and for that reason his agent knows he's got us by the balls.

 

For my money though, Sterling is NOWHERE NEAR as good as some people on here make out he is, he's not in the same league as Owen and Fowler, not by a country mile.

[billypilgrimnz]

For my money though, Sterling is NOWHERE near as good as some people on here make out he is, he's not in the same league as Owen and Fowler, not by a country mile.

 

That's exactly right. He's easily the most overrated player in our squad, though that is not a tough ask seeing as very few of them seem to be rated at all. He has speed and dribbling skills. Sometimes makes a nice pass when he has a tonne of time.

 

The rest is lacking and time will tell if it arrives.

[magicrat]

He looked a very good player in a great team last season

He looks average in a poor team this season

 

Great players carry shit teams . Stevie made a career out of it so I agree with Section that he is not as good as many make out. That said he is still very young and can improve

[ratcatcher]

For my money though, Sterling is NOWHERE near as good as some people on here make out he is, he's not in the same league as Owen and Fowler, not by a country mile.

 

Id certainly agree with this.

[billypilgrimnz]

He looked a very good player in a great team last season

He looks average in a poor team this season

 

Great players carry shit teams . Stevie made a career out of it so I agree with Section that he is not as good as many make out. That said he is still very young and can improve

 

He looked great because he had space where his speed could do some damage, and he had a livewire next to him getting the ball to him in that space. Take that away, and he does not have enough in his own arsenal to return the favor to others. Yes, his pace and dribbling will always get him something; but his technical skills and game awareness are leagues behind.

[ZonkoVille77]

one thing he needs to do is increase the power in his shooting. It's pathetic at the minute.

[Spy Bee]

He needs a rest, he looks half a yard slower and is always getting knocked off the ball. I think he's got huge potential, but he's also got a long way to go.

[bouncebrigade]

"Lots of Sterling still not enough for Raheem"

[Xherdan]

Would a 20 year old Steven Gerrard carry this current side?

[stringvest]

Would a 20 year old Steven Gerrard carry this current side?

 

he's carried worse.  

[Tony Moanero]

Would a 20 year old Steven Gerrard carry this current side?

No.

[ritchie]

The way he's going he'll be burnt out by 20 anyway.

[Tony Moanero]

The way he's going he'll be burnt out by 20 anyway.

Raheem celebrated his 20th birthday three days ago.

[bouncebrigade]

No.

 

.

[Gym Beglin]

Fuck him, if he wants to leave then ask £40m with add-ons. It his agent thinks he's so good then £40m isn't unrealistic. If nobody offers it then tell him to shut up and sign the contract.

[Mojo]

I'd swap him for Reus, but maybe we can't dream of world class players anymore and should keep hold of our Raheem

[stringvest]

I honestly couldn't give a fuck if any of them are sold.  Or in fact all of them.  Conversely, I will be more than a smidgeon exercised if some of them aren't this January.

[Boss]

His agent is just looking to get the best deal for his client, he knows it's in his best interests to stay and continue his development here. Nothing story.

[Funkasy]

He should be our best earned player, hes unplayable if he had any players in front of him that could move faster then a snail.

 

Some all ready sharpening their knives saying hes not worth the money etc and we could sell. keep lowering the expectations at the club. Sell the good players every year.