As the circus around Raheem Sterling’s future begins to play out its full nonsense, Liverpool must remain resolute and keep hold of the player for at least another year.
There will be temptation in the coming weeks to bring an end to the continued uncertainty around Sterling’s future and move an unhappy player on. Such a decision would be pandering to the very worst kind of whim.
Contrary to the current brouhaha surrounding the exciting winger, it is premature to suggest that he or his agent can hold the Anfield club to any form of ransom. He is not in the final year of his contract and therefore Liverpool still hold all the cards.
The falsehood that you cannot keep an unhappy player is bunkum. There have been numerous instances of players publicly stating their disillusionment without actually doing so. Notice how the papers are full of it without a single quote from the youngster.
That is not to say that they have invented the sentiments; they are clearly legitimate and straight from the horse’s (representative’s) mouth, but they are also very easily reneged upon. The player can find himself remaining at a club and dismissing the speculation as nonsense.
It is natural for fans to turn on their former hero and speak in emotive terms such as ‘he can f*ck off if he’s not happy’ or ‘let him rot in the reserves’. But the club’s job is not to succumb to such understandable chagrin, and instead play the situation to their advantage.
If Sterling refuses a new deal, Liverpool should not countenance his sale. Another season could affect the dynamics of the relationship between player and club dramatically. What Liverpool must do is back themselves to be a more tempting proposition a year on.
A lack of Champions League football is not only a turn off for Sterling, but it also means that recruits of his standard are far less likely – and losing Sterling wouldn’t look good to potential buys. Keep him and the outlook for the season after next could be very different.
Not only could a successful year and top-four finish soften the 20-year-old’s resolve to leave, but it would put the Merseyside club in a far stronger position in terms of acquiring adequate contingency were he to depart.
Another year will not alter the player’s value considerably. He would still be in demand from a number of clubs and that would maintain his value to a great extent. Look at Ashley Young when he left Aston Villa; there was real competition for his services and the price remained high.
It is not a case of the player being bigger than the club. Rather, it is using the player to satisfy the club’s needs. Sterling happily signed his last contract, of which two years remain. He chose to play for Liverpool and they should hold him to that.
