Raheem Sterling

[MrMichael]

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..

Think I agree with this. The lad is tiny; he's got bags of potential but we really could ruin him playing him too often too early in this league (Owen anyone). Out of the two huge young talents we have, I actually think Suso is closer to being "ready", but both might benefit from some competitive football at a lower level. Quite possible that would be better for them long term than hanging around the first team only getting a few minutes here and there.

Much though I want to see them in replacing the likes of Downing, we really do have to take the long term view here.

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.

Mightn't his confidence, and his all round game nouse, benefit more from consistent play elsewhere? Probably wouldn't want to leave the UK but a season in the Dutch league say might do him the world of good. Its a difficult one though, can very much see the advantage of keeping him around and doing like you suggest, but like Muddled said above I do wonder if our dislike of the useless Cole & Downing could encourage us to push too hard too soon with the lad.

[Mostar]

Think I agree with this. The lad is tiny; he's got bags of potential but we really could ruin him playing him too often too early in this league (Owen anyone). Out of the two huge young talents we have, I actually think Suso is closer to being "ready", but both might benefit from some competitive football at a lower level. Quite possible that would be better for them long term than hanging around the first team only getting a few minutes here and there.

Much though I want to see them in replacing the likes of Downing, we really do have to take the long term view here.
.

Same here.

As much as I'd love Suso and Sterling to stick around first team next season, imo we would benefit much more in the long run if they are loaned to strong contender in Championship league or perhaps mid table/lower ranking team in PL.

They need playing time at high level and I am afraid that at best we can expect to see them being given few cameo appearances if they stay with us.

That said, we must sign them in a long term contract.

We finally have 2 young players that can actually make a real impact on the first team in very near future and I hope we don't put that at stake by weighing our options.

[RedReet]

Think I agree with this. The lad is tiny; he's got bags of potential but we really could ruin him playing him too often too early in this league (Owen anyone). Out of the two huge young talents we have, I actually think Suso is closer to being "ready", but both might benefit from some competitive football at a lower level. Quite possible that would be better for them long term than hanging around the first team only getting a few minutes here and there.

Much though I want to see them in replacing the likes of Downing, we really do have to take the long term view here.



Mightn't his confidence, and his all round game nouse, benefit more from consistent play elsewhere? Probably wouldn't want to leave the UK but a season in the Dutch league say might do him the world of good. Its a difficult one though, can very much see the advantage of keeping him around and doing like you suggest, but like Muddled said above I do wonder if our dislike of the useless Cole & Downing could encourage us to push too hard too soon with the lad.

Why would playing regular competitive football in the Championship have more of a long-term benefit physically than in the PL? I can understand the argument that regular football is better than sitting on the bench every week, but if we’re using the argument of Owen who did too much too young, playing every week, why would doing it in the Championship make any difference? If we don’t think he’s ready for regular first team football as he’s still developing then I would keep him here, but if we do but don’t think he’s ready to play for us, then I’d let him go out on loan.

[SB]

Why would playing regular competitive football in the Championship have more of a long-term benefit physically than in the PL? I can understand the argument that regular football is better than sitting on the bench every week, but if we’re using the argument of Owen who did too much too young, playing every week, why would doing it in the Championship make any difference? If we don’t think he’s ready for regular first team football as he’s still developing then I would keep him here, but if we do but don’t think he’s ready to play for us, then I’d let him go out on loan.

He would be better off with us as the lending club wouldn't give a stuff about his long term well being I'd imagine & only of the here and now. Maybe a short 3 month loan may be the way to go?

[Muddled]

Why would playing regular competitive football in the Championship have more of a long-term benefit physically than in the PL? I can understand the argument that regular football is better than sitting on the bench every week, but if we’re using the argument of Owen who did too much too young, playing every week, why would doing it in the Championship make any difference? If we don’t think he’s ready for regular first team football as he’s still developing then I would keep him here, but if we do but don’t think he’s ready to play for us, then I’d let him go out on loan.

I'll warn you now, there is a big *if* in this post.

Owen clearly struggled because he hit the ground running and forced the hand of both Evans and Houllier to play him. Being English he was perfect for the headlines and the media ran with it. The clamour and hype meant he was difficult to drop and in the first team he remained, England called and the rest is a blur.

[Here comes the big if ...]

*IF* Sterling hit the ground running - a player who clearly has ability, has pace and is slight, could experience the same as the above. At 17 he needs game time - it could be argued, more regularly than the odd Carling Cup appearance - and he needs to be kicked around the park a bit. The Championship is perfect for that, there will be little hype if he does turn it on and he gets more regular game time. He then returns, pushes harder for a place gets substitute apprearances and Carling Cup games, has a bit more bulk, is used to the physicality and is in a better position to challenge for a first team spot.

Or we get him to replace Downing, because he's crap, Sterling buckles under the pressure and a heavy weight is put on his shoulders, whilst we look to the next best thing in the youth set-up. Possibly. Mebbe.

As somebody said earlier - send him to Blackpool.

[MrMichael]

Why would playing regular competitive football in the Championship have more of a long-term benefit physically than in the PL? I can understand the argument that regular football is better than sitting on the bench every week, but if we’re using the argument of Owen who did too much too young, playing every week, why would doing it in the Championship make any difference? If we don’t think he’s ready for regular first team football as he’s still developing then I would keep him here, but if we do but don’t think he’s ready to play for us, then I’d let him go out on loan.

To be honest, if we were going to loan him out I'd rather it was to a "weaker", less physical league rather than to the Championship at the moment. Somewhere like Belgium or Holland might be ideal. I doubt he'd be up for it and it would be a big ask for a young lad anyway, but in terms of his football development that would be my no1 choice for him this season.

[SB]

To be honest, if we were going to loan him out I'd rather it was to a "weaker", less physical league rather than to the Championship at the moment. Somewhere like Belgium or Holland might be ideal. I doubt he'd be up for it and it would be a big ask for a young lad anyway, but in terms of his football development that would be my no1 choice for him this season.

Send a 17 year old father overseas? Your heartless you are!

[MrMichael]

Send a 17 year old father overseas? Your heartless you are!

Lol, yeah yeah, I know. ****ing hell he's got no business being a flipping father at his age anyway, what the hell are we teaching these kids?

Its not like European clubs haven't been bringing players over from South America, like half way round the world, at that age and younger. What age was Messi when he went to Barca?

But I do know its not a realistic suggestion, I was talking in an ideal world, obviously if we were to loan him out it would be to an English club.

[colin85]

Just like someone mentioned,we must sign both of them up to long contracts (10 years each if that is still possible), Then think about loaning them out.
Wasn't there a story about sterling not being happy (probably due to him thinking he is ready for first team football ) and his mum saying something too?

At what age did Ryan giggs start playing for utd? Wasn't he a regular from an early age?

[Reece]

I wonder if we'll offer him to Swansea on loan as part of any Allen deal.

[BobTheCharmer]

when you have a speed merchant like sterling I think you play him now and accept that he won't be the same player by 30. Like Owen I think his best years will be between 17 & 21. Whilst he has raw pace. These type of players always suffer from hamstrings, so I can't see the point in saying we'll ease him in and try and preserve his career.

I can see the point of waiting a while until he gains some more strength though and I don't think we need to rush him into playing 40 games. But I do think his best years are the next few and we need to find a way of ultilsing that.

[SB]

when you have a speed merchant like sterling I think you play him now and accept that he won't be the same player by 30. Like Owen I think his best years will be between 17 & 21. Whilst he has raw pace. These type of players always suffer from hamstrings, so I can't see the point in saying we'll ease him in and try and preserve his career.

I can see the point of waiting a while until he gains some more strength though and I don't think we need to rush him into playing 40 games. But I do think his best years are the next few and we need to find a way of ultilsing that.

You can only hold back the young talented players for so long then you risk loosing them as they go in search of regular football. Damned if you do & damned if you don't. Start playing him IMO but be realistic regarding how many games he plays.

[RedReet]

I'll warn you now, there is a big *if* in this post.

Owen clearly struggled because he hit the ground running and forced the hand of both Evans and Houllier to play him. Being English he was perfect for the headlines and the media ran with it. The clamour and hype meant he was difficult to drop and in the first team he remained, England called and the rest is a blur.

[Here comes the big if ...]

*IF* Sterling hit the ground running - a player who clearly has ability, has pace and is slight, could experience the same as the above. At 17 he needs game time - it could be argued, more regularly than the odd Carling Cup appearance - and he needs to be kicked around the park a bit. The Championship is perfect for that, there will be little hype if he does turn it on and he gets more regular game time. He then returns, pushes harder for a place gets substitute apprearances and Carling Cup games, has a bit more bulk, is used to the physicality and is in a better position to challenge for a first team spot.

Or we get him to replace Downing, because he's crap, Sterling buckles under the pressure and a heavy weight is put on his shoulders, whilst we look to the next best thing in the youth set-up. Possibly. Mebbe.

As somebody said earlier - send him to Blackpool.

Personally I’d have more confidence in Rodger’s not getting caught up in the ‘hype’ and going against his better judgement than another manager who only has to worry about Raheem for a 6 month period or a year. Also, if there was any chance of such hype, all the more reason to play him then and just manage the situation better. To not play a player because he might be too good, too soon in sheer madness IMO.

Here’s the thing for me. If people are worried about future burnout and don’t think his body is ready for regular football then I don’t see the benefit of sending him out on loan, especially to a division where he’d get less protection. I’d rather monitor his progress here, keep him playing for the reserves with the odd first team appearance. If Rodgers doesn’t think he’s ready for first team football and could do with some experience elsewhere, then that’s fair enough. You say he needs ‘game time’ at 17, but is that not what the academy and reserves are for at that age? I could understand that argument more if he was 20 or so. As you said, there are a lot of if’s in your argument. There is every chance that he could flop on loan for whatever reason and return worse off for the experience. We just don’t know.

Rodgers has mentioned that he might go on loan, so obviously he does think it will be beneficial to Raheem. The experience one would expect might help raheem, but I just don’t see how it might preserve his later career as some suggest.

To be honest, if we were going to loan him out I'd rather it was to a "weaker", less physical league rather than to the Championship at the moment. Somewhere like Belgium or Holland might be ideal. I doubt he'd be up for it and it would be a big ask for a young lad anyway, but in terms of his football development that would be my no1 choice for him this season.

That's fair enough I suppose.

[saj]

Lol, yeah yeah, I know. ****ing hell he's got no business being a flipping father at his age anyway, what the hell are we teaching these kids?

Its not like European clubs haven't been bringing players over from South America, like half way round the world, at that age and younger. What age was Messi when he went to Barca?

But I do know its not a realistic suggestion, I was talking in an ideal world, obviously if we were to loan him out it would be to an English club.

8. But his whole family moved with him, well they had to because he had that medical condition which Barca said they would pay to treat.

[saj]

I wonder if we'll offer him to Swansea on loan as part of any Allen deal.

That would be the perfect move for Suso. I can't see Sterling getting many games though as Sinclair and Dyer are both very good players