Jamie Carragher says Raheem Sterling should be embarrassed
The 20-year-old England international’s future at Liverpool is clouded in uncertainty with British media reports on Tuesday suggesting Sterling is poised to request a transfer.
Manchester City are one of the club’s being linked with a move for Sterling who, according to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been offered an “incredible” new contract.
With Liverpool insisting Sterling is not for sale, the saga is bound to rumble on into the summer and Jamie Carragher, now a television pundit, said he should be embarrassed to walk into training this week and suggested a change of agent.
“I’d be embarrassed to walk into training tomorrow and show my face to everyone; even the lady on the reception,” former Liverpool defender Carragher told Sky Sports.
“Raheem Sterling is a great kid. He’s not some flash young kid. He’s not loud, he’s not in people’s faces. He loves his football.
“He needs to change his agent. That’s the one thing he needs to change.
“For a 20-year-old kid to be taking on Liverpool Football Club, there’s nothing worse.
“Raheem Sterling will obviously move on at some stage. Brendan Rodgers has said he won’t be leaving this summer but it looks like he’s trying to force the club’s hand.”
Fans last night turned on Sterling was booed by fans at the club’s end-of-season award ceremony.
Raheem Sterling booed by fans as he collects #LFC Player of the Year award http://t.co/YhtjxtumiK pic.twitter.com/ubJ6aJMHyl
— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) May 19, 2015
Sterling picked up the club’s Young Player of the Year award. However, as he made a short acceptance speech there were shouts of ’Stay Raheem’ and as he finished speaking and left the stage there were audible boos from some of the 3,000 fans assembled at the rear of the Echo Arena in the city.
Carragher meanwhile says Sterling still had to prove he was worth the kind of salary enjoyed by the Premier League’s biggest names.
“If you want trophies and big money they won’t be given to you, you have to earn them,” Carragher said.
“What did Liverpool win this year? Nothing.”
Former Liverpool winger John Barnes, who Sterling has been compared to, echoed Carragher’s comments.
“Raheem has not achieved anything, he has not won anything,” Barnes told the BBC.
“Does anyone believe that if he goes to Manchester City he will be the first name on the team sheet or are they just signing him because they need English players?”
“Raheem has great potential, but Liverpool gave him an opportunity and he should stay for a couple of years.”
Sterling’s agent said reports the Liverpool forward is set to the tell the club he wants to leave this summer have “been blown somewhat out of proportion”.
Aidy Ward, the 20-year-old’s long-time representative, said he and the player were always scheduled to meet Reds officials this week and insists they will move forward from there.
“The story has been blown somewhat out of proportion,” he said in a statement to talkSPORT.
“Raheem and his representatives have a meeting scheduled with Liverpool later this week, and we will take proceedings from there.”
Sterling has two years left on his current deal. Regular links with the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Bayern Munich have led to accusations his head has been turned.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was coy yesterday when asked whether the Gunners were interested in Sterling.
“I do not bid for anybody at the moment. In the summer we will bid for people. At the moment we are not in transfer mode at all.”
Meanwhile Reds boss Brendan Rodger last night said he believes his side will be better for their difficulties on the pitch.
“It has been a difficult, trying season but the players will all be better for it next year.
“The players need a rest [but] the club will continue to work hard to improve the squad and next year provides another great opportunity for us like last season.”
