Raheem Sterling to Liverpool has received a major boost after the player dumped the agent that helped him manufacture his Manchester City move in 2015.
The English forward has an awful relationship with Liverpool fans and is booed every time he visits Anfield so it’s difficult to imagine a return to the club but if he did, I have no doubt that he’d be a success with a manager like Klopp at the helm.
The chances of it realistically happening are about 1 in 1 million. If that.
So what’s the story then?
Journalist Alex Miller claims: “Chances of a Raheem Sterling return to Liverpool more likely after he ditched his agent, according to a well-placed source. Major obstacle removed.
“Would still need the price to be right and for Jurgen Klopp to be convinced about player’s commitment…”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 17: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
According to German stats website Transfermarkt, Raheem Sterling has a market value of £81million which makes a deal to sign him even more nonsensical. Perhaps another manager would re-sign him for Liverpool but Jurgen Klopp wouldn’t.
The German understands the supporters more than any other manager that I’ve seen at Liverpool during my time as a supporter. At that price point, the Reds would be much better off going for Jadon Sancho.
Liverpool fans would prefer that for a multitude of reasons one of them being that it would stop Manchester United from signing him.
Where would he fit in at Liverpool?
He might be a snake but Sterling is bloody good. The past season has been poor by his high standards and even then he managed 14 goals and 12 assists.
The former QPR youngster could do with a move and even if it’s not to Liverpool, a return to the form that saw him score 31 goals and provide 10 assists during the 2019/20 season is not hard to imagine.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 10: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City and Joe Gomez of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City at Anfield on November 10, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
At Liverpool, he’d probably take Sadio Mane’s left-wing position but with Diogo Jota waiting quite literally in the wings, Sterling isn’t even needed at Anfield.
So what is needed in the market then?
A natural no.9 and a right-wing are two areas of Liverpool’s attack that are in need of some reinforcement.
That might sound odd since Mohamed Salah is a right-sided forward but the Egyptian needs some cover as he simply cannot carry the attack himself.
He might not admit it as he wants to play every game to score as many goals as possible but Salah cannot play every game and by overplaying him, Klopp is asking for trouble.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal to make the score 3-1 during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United at Anfield on September 14, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Getty Images)
The issue is, however, resting him reduces the quality on the field drastically.
Signing Raphinha would solve that problem as the Brazilian could provide a different option on the pitch but one that would mean Liverpool wouldn’t be hamstrung without Salah.
As for a no.9, Dusan Vlahovic would be a great option but he’s too expensive so Malen or Daka would do the job.
