Topic: Raheem Sterling

[Danyaals Kop]

Owen and Gerrard were in their teens when they were being settled into Liverpool as well.

[Adeemo]

IMO we'd have had a few more points if he'd been getting 10-15 minute cameos for the last six months, we could've easily nicked an equaliser today, simply due to his direct style and willingness to take on defenders. Scared the life out of them.

[Beninger]

I like the look of him...

[s_andrews89]

Lived in Jamaica till he was 8.  About as British as John Barnes 

Bold bit - DEFINITELY a good thing! Let's hope he doesn't rap like Barnes tho!

Edit to add:

The way he just gets the ball and runs at people is so refreshing to see out wide. It's what I thought we'd see week in week out from downing. It's the first i've really seen of him properly and he could be a real gem. I have certainly have faith in Kenny and SC to know when to play him.

[SkinHimHesShite]

if downing is worth 19 million then how much is sterling worth? cheers rafa, fucking awesome manager.

[enigma]

Can we please not start calling for him to start? He's 17 and the size of a 13-year-old. Impact sub, definitely. Starter, no.

I don't remember Owen having any problems with this...  Size and age winds me up - if they are good enough, run like lightening, they are going to cause troubles, especially if has a few tricks in the locker - don't underestimate age - players like this often have there best between 16-25...

[Red Genius]

I don't remember Owen having any problems with this...  Size and age winds me up - if they are good enough, run like lightening, they are going to cause troubles, especially if has a few tricks in the locker - don't underestimate age - players like this often have there best between 16-25...

You do recall what happened to Owen's fragile little shell of a body having played too much football too young?

[Danyaals Kop]

if downing is worth 19 million then how much is sterling worth? cheers rafa, fucking awesome manager.

19 sterlings ?

[Red an White Tea Party]

Better to burn young players out than never give them the chance and then sell them when their.development is stunted.

Don't think 10 minutes will confine him to the Knacker's.  There's no rule a young player can't debut unless we're 3-0 up.
He's shown he can react positively when team is trailing. so could be a mental hard nut.  All positive from him. Brave of Kenny to try. Gives Downing reason to try harder.   
All in all a positive like Coates goal!

[MBL?]

Given England's track record, he'll be off to the Euros with them in the summer.

He's good but he'd have no chance against McShane.

[enigma]

You do recall what happened to Owen's fragile little shell of a body having played too much football too young?

Exactly, so would you of had him coming up from the youth like he did, or pay £15 odd million as a broken 25 year old - watch his early goals, he was electric, he'd already lost that by the time he was 25 - all I'm saying is don't be afraid to play them because they are 'young' or 'small' - just baffles me.

[cptrios]

I don't remember Owen having any problems with this...  Size and age winds me up - if they are good enough, run like lightening, they are going to cause troubles, especially if has a few tricks in the locker - don't underestimate age - players like this often have there best between 16-25...

I imagine then that you also don't remember Owen's career fading at age 25 largely because he played too much when he was younger? I have no question that Sterling's got the ability. I just don't want to see him get knocked on the ground for 90 minutes straight by the Cattermoles and Shawcrosses of the world.

[Juan Loco]

Exactly, so would you of had him coming up from the youth like he did, or pay £15 odd million as a broken 25 year old - watch his early goals, he was electric, he'd already lost that by the time he was 25 - all I'm saying is don't be afraid to play them because they are 'young' or 'small' - just baffles me.

... But he lost that because he was pla-...

Oh nevermind.

All. Too. Predictable.

[shook]

15 minutes a match for the rest of the season, and much of next season, shouldn't be a big deal I'd imagine?

[MrGrumpy]

Buying british is too expensive for poor quality.

To my mind English players are over valued by 100%. Henderson for £10 million, Carroll for £17.5 million and Downing for £8 million would have been fair value.

[Z e u s]

You do recall what happened to Owen's fragile little shell of a body having played too much football too young?

No one is saying burn out the kid.

Just that he should be used far more.

[enigma]

I imagine then that you also don't remember Owen's career fading at age 25 largely because he played too much when he was younger? I have no question that Sterling's got the ability. I just don't want to see him get knocked on the ground for 90 minutes straight by the Cattermoles and Shawcrosses of the world.

I have to say I don't agree - Owen was at his best between 18-21, partly because he'd been playing at a competitive level for some time, and he was at the time, a very near world class footballer - sure, he got injured and lost his pace that he relied on (some might say the same of Mr Torres), but different positions thrive at different times - if Sterling is good enough now, and has that raw pace and what not, then play him and give him the experience - the problem is if someone is that special and they don't get the opportunity, they go elsewhere, we should at least give him some game time, that's all I ask...

[MBL?]

The problem with Owen was he was played whilst injured and rushed back too soon on loads of occasions. There's loads of lads who have played from a young age with out a problem.

[enigma]

I have to say I don't agree - Owen was at his best between 18-21, partly because he'd been playing at a competitive level for some time, and he was at the time, a very near world class footballer - sure, he got injured and lost his pace that he relied on (some might say the same of Mr Torres), but different positions thrive at different times - if Sterling is good enough now, and has that raw pace and what not, then play him and give him the experience - the problem is if someone is that special and they don't get the opportunity, they go elsewhere, we should at least give him some game time, that's all I ask...

...and I say, very nearly world class footballer as I don't want to start a debate on this, he was an excellent finisher, one of the best we'd had in years...!

[EmmaWatson]

Next Messi 

[enigma]

The problem with Owen was he was played whilst injured and rushed back too soon on loads of occasions. There's loads of lads who have played from a young age with out a problem.

Exactly (and a good point), but they were still played from a young age, I could name a few...

[Red Genius]

No one is saying burn out the kid.

Just that he should be used far more.

Lets all put our hope and fortunes in a 17 year old...

How fucking desperate are you? The lad needs to gently be brought into the first team at the right pace, particularly when you consider his size and weight and this league we play in.

What we need to do is get our more established players, performing before we throw a 17 year old into the lion's den to please a few over excited fans because we haven't won the Champions Premier La Liga World Super Cup.... or whatever is irritating them.

If there is one word that applies here more than anywhere it's patience, he needs a patient introduction.

[J-Mc-]

Best player for us today, and he only had 10 minutes!

Use him off the bench till the end of the season and let him develop a bit more. Wouldn't make him a starter yet though.

[Hazell]

Guess there was a silver lining today, looked very comfortable.

[dast18]

Given England's track record, he'll be off to the Euros with them in the summer.

Well, Walcott was only 17 in the 2006 WC. He didn't make it, but everyone thought that he should. Before, during and after the tournament. Owen was only 18 when he played there. Scary thought.

[enigma]

Lets all put our hope and fortunes in a 17 year old...

How fucking desperate are you? The lad needs to gently be brought into the first team at the right pace, particularly when you consider his size and weight and this league we play in.

What we need to do is get our more established players, performing before we throw a 17 year old into the lion's den to please a few over excited fans because we haven't won the Champions Premier La Liga World Super Cup.... or whatever is irritating them.

If there is one word that applies here more than anywhere it's patience, he needs a patient introduction.

Point 1:  I don't think anyone's putting all there hopes on a "17 year old" - just  a few will have seen how he's played, and think he's ready - as ready as the likes of a good degree of our first team players - playing him will only improve him; give the lad a break and some confidence and see what he does...

Point 2: Patient introduction - I agree: at the start of the season, I'd have said no chance, but we aren't competing for 4th now realistically; we have Europa, and are a long way off CL - give him some matches - he'll only get better

[Juan Loco]

Lets all put our hope and fortunes in a 17 year old...

If only someone had mentioned this would happen, they could pat themselves on the back.

[gallden]

19 sterlings ?

31...

[Carlos Alberto]

missed the game would love to see a video of what he did.

[Juan Loco]

The problem with Owen was he was played whilst injured and rushed back too soon on loads of occasions. There's loads of lads who have played from a young age with out a problem.

Yeah, and we did that because we were extremely reliant on him, and had been since a young age.

This is what people just aren't getting with the Sterling situation. I've said before I don't doubt Sterling's ability to play professional football. I don't doubt that he's talented enough. I laugh at the idea that he'd come in and struggle and that it'd crush his confidence. It wouldn't. He'd be back out of the team for a bit (like Flanagan has been) and then he'd get another chance.

The worry is not that he isn't ready for first team football, but he's too ready. People do not know how to react if a player is so good at 17 that you can't leave him out of the team. ... And this lad could well be that.

He's might not be Messi, but at the same time we're not Barcelona. We don't have a Ronaldinho there keeping him out of the team. People will be baying for his inclusion from the start soon enough (if they're not already), and if he does well... He's not just going to be playing football at 17. We're going to be looking for him to win us games on his own at 17. It's an unfair amount of pressure on the lad.

[Bob Loblaw]

Am i allowed to say i hop he plays a real part form now to to the end of the season without being accused of putting all our hopes on him?

I just want to see a very talented lad get a chance he's more deserving of than quite a few others in the team. If nothing else it serves as a kick up the arse to the others.

[shook]

Yeah, and we did that because we were extremely reliant on him, and had been since a young age.

This is what people just aren't getting with the Sterling situation. I've said before I don't doubt Sterling's ability to play professional football. I don't doubt that he's talented enough. I laugh at the idea that he'd come in and struggle and that it'd crush his confidence. It wouldn't. He'd be back out of the team for a bit (like Flanagan has been) and then he'd get another chance.

The worry is not that he isn't ready for first team football, but he's too ready. People do not know how to react if a player is so good at 17 that you can't leave him out of the team. ... And this lad could well be that.

He's might not be Messi, but at the same time we're not Barcelona. We don't have a Ronaldinho there keeping him out of the team. People will be baying for his inclusion from the start soon enough (if they're not already), and if he does well... He's not just going to be playing football at 17. We're going to be looking for him to win us games on his own at 17. It's an unfair amount of pressure on the lad.

Its up to Dalglish to not bow to pressure and understand that he can only be used as a substitute - like Messi - until age 19.  When Bellamy returns it will be easier.  Can play 3 out of Bellamy, Carroll, Downing, Suarez and have one of them + Sterling as the substitutes.  The fact we are not in the hunt for anything makes it easier

[enigma]

Yeah, and we did that because we were extremely reliant on him, and had been since a young age.

This is what people just aren't getting with the Sterling situation. I've said before I don't doubt Sterling's ability to play professional football. I don't doubt that he's talented enough. I laugh at the idea that he'd come in and struggle and that it'd crush his confidence. It wouldn't. He'd be back out of the team for a bit (like Flanagan has been) and then he'd get another chance.

The worry is not that he isn't ready for first team football, but he's too ready. People do not know how to react if a player is so good at 17 that you can't leave him out of the team. ... And this lad could well be that.

He's might not be Messi, but at the same time we're not Barcelona. We don't have a Ronaldinho there keeping him out of the team. People will be baying for his inclusion from the start soon enough (if they're not already), and if he does well... He's not just going to be playing football at 17. We're going to be looking for him to win us games on his own at 17. It's an unfair amount of pressure on the lad.

You live, you learn, you make mistakes, you learn, you fuck up in front of 45,000 people, it either gives you character, or you thrive to do better - if he's as good as I've seen over the last year or so, he'll be no worse than many of the others on any given day, but he might just be special - either way - age is a subjective barrier, talent however is not - let him play and support him if he gets the chance as this one looks a little different...

[Upinsmoke]

He lifted the crowd, who was the last young kid his age to do such a thing?

Anyway, should feature more between now and the end of the season. Clearly has as much ability as any other wide player in the squad.

[Johnnyboy1973]

He's so slight though.

[MrGrumpy]

Guess there was a silver lining today, looked very comfortable.

As have all the youth team players that have been given a run in the side over the last few years. Sterling deserves a few more games on the bench before the end of the season.

[Cid]

Not like there's a happy medium in looking after the welfare and wellbeing of your kids as well as giving them the chance to develop and impress or anything.

Where has this happy medium been for the last few years as youngster after youngster was fucked off without a sniff of a chance?  Pacheco got a sub just like Sterling now has, and he looked just as good imo.  I hope we see more of Sterling, we can all see a player there..but time after time we waste these youth players.

[Anywhichwayucan]

I'm still giddy just thinking about his pace.

[SteLFC91]

He lifted the crowd, who was the last young kid his age to do such a thing?

Anyway, should feature more between now and the end of the season. Clearly has as much ability as any other wide player in the squad.

Pacheco.

[felix.]

chuffed for the little fucker.