Raheem Sterling

[SB]

I remember someone mentioning something like this.....can you please help me out who mentioned it?

Some wally with a bad memory no doubt

[Alex]

Do we really think he is even close to the first team though? Honestly? Id love to see him come on, but only if he can make the impact. If he is to be Liverpool's youngest ever player, he cant fade away like so many of the other prospects.

[Reece]

It would be a right kick in the teeth if Sterling started ahead of Pacheco.

No way he'll start though I don't think.

[Arn]

KK must be a EST member and listen to me Relegation next?

[SB]

Do we really think he is even close to the first team though? Honestly? Id love to see him come on, but only if he can make the impact. If he is to be Liverpool's youngest ever player, he cant fade away like so many of the other prospects.

No I don't. He's going for the experience IMO.He shouldn't be considered before Pacheco IMO.

[Drago]

I can't even seeing him getting on the bench thh. I think it will be all about experience and a reward for that game against Southend to some extent.

[Drago]

KK must be a EST member and listen to me Relegation next?

You wanted him on the bench for a league game, he's in the 25 man squad for a Europa game.

There's a slight difference.

[Arn]

It would be a right kick in the teeth if Sterling started ahead of Pacheco.

No way he'll start though I don't think.

Why not start with Pacheco and then sub him after 60 minutes with Sterling replacing him?

[JohnDoe]

Am I the only one who's a bit underwhelmed by Pacheco?

He's a talented player no doubt but I feel he's not going to make the breakthrough here because he can't really play out wide successfully and he's not going to get many chances in the middle.

[red g]

Why not start with Pacheco and then sub him after 60 minutes with Sterling replacing him?

Sterling looks like he has the skills but honestly I think he would get chewed up and spat out in the premier league. Fine if we are 3up with 10 minutes to go give him a run out by all means but I don;t think we can expect any sort of real impact yet, to small and not strong enough on the ball yet.

[Reece]

Am I the only one who's a bit underwhelmed by Pacheco?

He's a talented player no doubt but I feel he's not going to make the breakthrough here because he can't really play out wide successfully and he's not going to get many chances in the middle.

He played on the left of a forward three for Spain in the U19 (or was it U21 I can't remember now) tournament back in the summer, and was excellent there. He's no winger but in a 4-3-3 system he would be fine.

He's always impressed me in his sub appearances with his willingness to receive the ball and try and make something happen. However, like many I feel he suffered under Hodgson's style of play and insistence on playing players out of position.

[TheElephantMan]

Sterling looks like he has the skills but honestly I think he would get chewed up and spat out in the premier league. Fine if we are 3up with 10 minutes to go give him a run out by all means but I don;t think we can expect any sort of real impact yet, to small and not strong enough on the ball yet.

I agree with this. I don't think it's necessarily his size which is the issue, there are plenty of diminutive players who have been successful in the Premiership.

[Craig_H]

Why not start with Pacheco and then sub him after 60 minutes with Sterling replacing him?

Yep and for the 2nd leg, maybe give Stevie G's little girls a run out too?

[JohnDoe]

He played on the left of a forward three for Spain in the U19 (or was it U21 I can't remember now) tournament back in the summer, and was excellent there. He's no winger but in a 4-3-3 system he would be fine.

He's always impressed me in his sub appearances with his willingness to receive the ball and try and make something happen. However, like many I feel he suffered under Hodgson's style of play and insistence on playing players out of position.

I remember that tournament when he was ace, but it's different when you play out wide in the Premier League, even if it's a 4-3-3. He doesn't have pace, he's short and he's not very strong, so he's in a huge physical disadvantage in every aspect of the game.

He's very skillful, good passer and is smart and active, so I can see him being successful as a second striker or a playmaker, especially in La Liga, but I don't see him getting games in that position here. His ceiling, in my opinion, is Yossi Benayoun, but he was nowhere near Liverpool at Pacheco's age, which is sort of my point.

[Reece]

I remember that tournament when he was ace, but it's different when you play out wide in the Premier League, even if it's a 4-3-3. He doesn't have pace, he's short and he's not very strong, so he's in a huge physical disadvantage in every aspect of the game.

He's very skillful, good passer and is smart and active, so I can see him being successful as a second striker or a playmaker, especially in La Liga, but I don't see him getting games in that position here. His ceiling, in my opinion, is Yossi Benayoun, but he was nowhere near Liverpool at Pacheco's age, which is sort of my point.

All fair points

It certainly remains to be seen if he can make it in the Premier League. It would probably have made sense to loan him out to someone like WBA (although not now, for obvious reasons ) to see how he did.