Raheem Sterling

[Rowan]

Brendan Rodgers wanted him on loan for Swansea. He must have felt he was ready for first-team football.

He did take the ten pin bowling supremo (and part time 'the next big thing') Big Josh McCrackin from Chelsea for half the year and didn't give him a sniff so his loan requests might mean less than we thought.

[Bender]

Raheem Sterling: "The manager likes his wingers to press high up the pitch, so I'm working on that to try and impress him."

[Kenneth]

Good, and good.

[Bender]

definitely expect sterling to feature in the coming season

[Muddled]

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers may loan out rising star Raheem Sterling as he seeks to dampen hype

Brendan Rodgers is considering sending Liverpool teenager Raheem Sterling on loan as he seeks to dampen the inevitable hype surrounding the youngster

Sterling, who made his Anfield debut under Kenny Dalglish last season, has shone in the early training sessions under Rodgers and is likely to feature prominently in the pre-season games, starting in Toronto on Saturday.

Rodgers is understandably protective of the 17 year-old, who joined from QPR in 2009 for a deal which could be eventually be worth as much as £5 million.

Having been given his first taste of senior action, Sterling is hoping for more in the coming months, but he may have wait.

“He is a talent, but he’s not ready for the first team yet,” said Rodgers. “One of the things I’ve done over my career is manage the expectation of young players and the reality is he is still very, very young.

“There are very few players in the world who get into a Premier League team at 17, never mind a top club. He has certainly shown qualities and we’ll decide over the next few weeks whether he stays and he’s involved now or if he goes for a loan period. That’s a decision for me over the next few weeks.”

The expectation on Sterling has been excessive. He received a standing ovation when he made his Anfield debut against Wigan in March after a series of exciting reserve and youth performance, but says he understands Rodgers’ cautious approach.

“Obviously everyone wants to be playing now, but that’s not the real world and you have to take it step by step,” he said.

“Then when you get the call, you want to take it which is what I’m hoping to do here. The manager just said work hard and it doesn’t matter about your age, if you work hard, if you get the chance just take it.”

“It was a dream come true to have everyone wanting to see me play and really excited. Now I just want to get better.

“It’s a good feeling to have that expectation but I’m still only 17 and learning. As a young player you’re always trying to impress, especially when it’s a new manager, but it’s also key not to overdo it and keep it simple.

"It’s great to be part of the squad and the new manager is great with the young lads and he wants attractive football, which is what Liverpool Football Club is all about.

“I just hope to do well if I get some minutes in the pre-season games and take it from there. Playing last season has whet my appetite even more, but we’ll have to see if the manager thinks I can be part of the team.”

If Sterling does progress, he hopes to succeed by emulating a legend connected to Liverpool’s arch rivals Manchester United.

“The obvious idol for me is Cristiano Ronaldo, but you can’t really model yourself on those sort of players,” said Sterling.

“You just want to take parts of their game and add it to yours.”

Sterling’s team-mates certainly believe it could be a breakthrough year for the teenager.

“Raheem’s going to be a big player for Liverpool,” said Joe Cole.

“He has got that mentality. I don't think anything will faze him. He has definitely got goals in him.

“I know the fans saw him for a few games towards the end of last season and he could really make an impression this season. He can be a special player.”

Rodgers, meanwhile, won’t be burdened by a demand to finish in the top four in his first season.

Liverpool’s principal owner John Henry said it was a major disappointment not to qualify for the Champions League last year, but he has tempered expectations for the new appointment.

“We don't want to put any pressure on Brendan by saying you have got to make the Champions League this year,” said Henry.

“Of course he wants to make the Champions League, we all do and so does every team in the Premier League.

“I thought it was realistic last season but we were so far off that pace. At this point we're just trying to get things stabilised – that should be one of our goals.”

Link: The Telegraph

[yamiedo]

Disappointing news. I thought he was ready.

[Mr Darko]

^ this. He's more skillful than Downing and Henderson combined, makes better runs and dribbles, he has better vision, can pick out a decent pass instantly and can actually cross - and it doesn't take him 1000 minutes to put one decent ball in. if he's not good enough to be given a chance then Downing/Henderson shouldn't be in the starting 11.

Don't loan him out - give him a chance to impress in early Carling Cup/Europa League rounds.

[baronvonskidmark]

I'd prefer to see him stay than be loaned out - as much to do with his age as anything else. He needs game time, but at 17 he shouldn't be having too much expectation placed on him. It is a tough one to judge. We can't be relying on someone so young for our first team - but then, if he went on loan to a Championship team for example, maybe he'd be a first teamer there and have to go through the regular expectation and physical demands of Championship football, which as a league seems more physical than PL footie. Hopefully he'll stay with us and we can use him from the bench and in early Carling Cup and Europa games.

We've all got high hopes for him but you worry about the danger of injuries curtailing his full potential - just like Fowler and especially Owen. At his age Owen and Fowler's injury record was ok. I think Owen himself said recently that he played too much football too young. It's a tough one to call Brendan!

[Catrin]

A spell with Olly at Blackpool seems to have done Shelvey a world of good. It could do the same for Raheem.

[Muddled]

I think we're putting too much expectation on Sterling and I think to an extent, our dislike of Downing is clouding judgement. He's barely seventeen and still has a great future in the game, let's not rush him and let's allow him to slowly learn his trade.

A loan is a great idea.

[gentingfrmhell]

I on the other hand, feel he could be put to gd use as an impact sub.

Is there a window for loans? or could loans happen throughout the season.

[Exiled_red]

I think we're putting too much expectation on Sterling and I think to an extent, our dislike of Downing is clouding judgement. He's barely seventeen and still has a great future in the game, let's not rush him and let's allow him to slowly learn his trade.

A loan is a great idea.

[TheElephantMan]

I think we're putting too much expectation on Sterling and I think to an extent, our dislike of Downing is clouding judgement. He's barely seventeen and still has a great future in the game, let's not rush him and let's allow him to slowly learn his trade.

A loan is a great idea.

he looks like a very exciting prospect, but he isn't quite there yet. A few months playing for a Championship side would allow him to develop further and allow us to assess his progress, it can only be good for him and us.

[JohnDoe]

A spell with Olly at Blackpool seems to have done Shelvey a world of good. It could do the same for Raheem.

He needs some of Ian Holloway's magic.

[REDSCOUSER]

I say keep the lad and ship dross like Cole & Downing to the nearest ****in petrol station.
Sterling has pace and skill so give him some time in the EL qualifying rounds and carling cup.
Intergrate the lad slowly like King Kenny did before and gradually his confidence will reach higher level. We dont have to loan every young player so they can get more experience when we can give it to them at LFC. IMHO.