Raheem Sterling

[BigChief]

I've heard that the photographer he slide tackled is now pregnant.

I feared the worst when I heard 'Sterling' and "tackle" in the same sentence.

[Charly]

Sterling has talent and makes things happen but is still very raw and nowhere near ready to cementing a regular first team spot.

Why is he not ready?

He did more in that one match that Downing has managed in his entire career at LFC. That maybe says more about Downing than it does Sterling, but the fact remain Sterling was always a threat, and played exactly how you would expect an attacking wide player to play... Running at the opposition, creating space for others, and destroying their defensive shape.

Downing has had 38 league appearences, and has failed to create a single goal, or score a single goal. That is diabolical. Possibly the worst player statistically we have ever signed, and the guy was not cheap. And the stats are not hiding anything. He has been a complete failure. I can only remember the cup game against Everton where I thought he played well, and the cup final he did ok. Thats not acceptable for a seasoned international at the peak of their career, who has roughly averaged a goal every 10 games and an assist every 5 games in the Premier League.

For me, on that performance, Sterling is more than ready. I could understand your point of view if we had better options, but we dont.

[Neil Young]

He looks promising to me. That's all.

I think people are in danger of exaggerating how good he was last night. He plays the kind of role where an inexperienced player can look good - a couple of flashes, a bit of style, etc.

But he didn't score, he didn't assist, he didn't tear them apart time and again. He did well enough, he looked promising, that's all.

[Lee]

He's very promising.

That's all I'll say for now.

He looks promising to me. That's all.

I think people are in danger of exaggerating how good he was last night. He plays the kind of role where an inexperienced player can look good - a couple of flashes, a bit of style, etc.

But he didn't score, he didn't assist, he didn't tear them apart time and again. He did well enough, he looked promising, that's all.

[Gibbo]

He should of had an assist to be fair Neil. You could tell he is decent because everytime Sterling got near the defenders they looked worried.

He is only promising though, would like to see him get some games from the bench.

[Neil Young]

[Neil Young]

He should of had an assist to be fair Neil. You could tell he is decent because everytime Sterling got near the defenders they looked worried.

He is only promising though, would like to see him get some games from the bench.

Coulda, shoulda, didn't. Not his fault perhaps but good players make a difference that counts. I'm not criticising him at all for not doing more, just trying to put his performance into perspective.

So yes, he's decent, he did enough, he looks promising.

[red g]

Why is he not ready?

He did more in that one match that Downing has managed in his entire career at LFC. That maybe says more about Downing than it does Sterling, but the fact remain Sterling was always a threat, and played exactly how you would expect an attacking wide player to play... Running at the opposition, creating space for others, and destroying their defensive shape.

Downing has had 38 league appearences, and has failed to create a single goal, or score a single goal. That is diabolical. Possibly the worst player statistically we have ever signed, and the guy was not cheap. And the stats are not hiding anything. He has been a complete failure. I can only remember the cup game against Everton where I thought he played well, and the cup final he did ok. Thats not acceptable for a seasoned international at the peak of their career, who has roughly averaged a goal every 10 games and an assist every 5 games in the Premier League.

For me, on that performance, Sterling is more than ready. I could understand your point of view if we had better options, but we dont.

I am not sure how much you are advocating playing him, but whether he is ready or not you have to remember how old he is.

One of the greatest players of all time Lionel Messi, Only become a regular when he was 19 although he was probably 'ready' earlier. I just think we have to manage the expectation and the last thing we need on our hands is another Owen.

[danperkins]

Why is he not ready?

He did more in that one match that Downing has managed in his entire career at LFC. That maybe says more about Downing than it does Sterling, but the fact remain Sterling was always a threat, and played exactly how you would expect an attacking wide player to play... Running at the opposition, creating space for others, and destroying their defensive shape.

Downing has had 38 league appearences, and has failed to create a single goal, or score a single goal. That is diabolical. Possibly the worst player statistically we have ever signed, and the guy was not cheap. And the stats are not hiding anything. He has been a complete failure. I can only remember the cup game against Everton where I thought he played well, and the cup final he did ok. Thats not acceptable for a seasoned international at the peak of their career, who has roughly averaged a goal every 10 games and an assist every 5 games in the Premier League.

For me, on that performance, Sterling is more than ready. I could understand your point of view if we had better options, but we dont.

Stuart Downing is poison & if it was a choice between the two i'd pick Sterling... to be honest i'd pick anyone ahead of Downing.

Sterling is a kid mate & IMO will gain valuable game time in a bit part role for LFC this season but IMO is not quite ready to be a starter just yet on a regular basis. Talented and causes problems but still very young,raw,naive etc and hopefully will only get better under Rogers.

Hopefully we can finally have an answer to the LM issue that has been plaguing us for years, but it's early days for Sterling.

[Charly]

I am not saying he should be playing every game, but he is ready to step up and be a first team player. And should always be selected ahead of Downing. Playing games will do him a world of good, as I dont think reserve games are going to do much more for his development. I understand he needs protecting. Fowler Owen and Gerrard all suffered with problems early on and we need to avoid that if we can. On the other hand, if we dont start performing, he will likely leave to join a champions league side. This season is make or break. If we cant break into the top four now, I doubt we ever will, and Arsenal are looking weak at the moment.

[yamiedo]

Some people are saying hes not ready to play his part in the team but Rodgers must think he is now if he isn't going out on loan. Now our manager thinks he is ready, we can't really fall back on the excuse "Oh you can't see everything in training he does every day. The manager can see that and obviously he ain't ready if he isn't being picked"

[baitman]

i fully understand the concerns of playing him too much and how it might effect his longevity as a player with regards to fitness and injuries in later years, but...

he wants to play, and we need him now. if we were not going to play him then he would be off.
when you see the way the lad wants to run at defenders you wonder what the point of downing is.

[danperkins]

I am not saying he should be playing every game, but he is ready to step up and be a first team player. And should always be selected ahead of Downing. Playing games will do him a world of good, as I dont think reserve games are going to do much more for his development. I understand he needs protecting. Fowler Owen and Gerrard all suffered with problems early on and we need to avoid that if we can. On the other hand, if we dont start performing, he will likely leave to join a champions league side. This season is make or break. If we cant break into the top four now, I doubt we ever will, and Arsenal are looking weak at the moment.

I'm not disagreeing mate i would like Sterling to stay with us this season as part of the first team squad

[el matador]

He had a really promising game but theres no point getting carried away. Hes young but if he continues to improve at that rate then why not have him on the bench every game and defo play him in the carling cup uefa type fixtures.

He doesnt understand the game that rodgers plays when we dont have the ball but thats understandable because nobody is tactically brilliant as such an early age. use him but intelligently.

[Mostar]

The music wasn't bad either

Best news I've heard today.

I wish we don't do that and send him on a loan instead.

If he stays he'll get few cameo appearances in PL, probably few games in CC and FA and maybe one or two in EL.

I think it would be better if he is loaned to medium to low ranking PL club (or Championship club) where he can get first team football on regular basis.

He needs to play if he really wants to develop and I am afraid this year if stays he won't get too much playing time.