Liverpool FC might be doing their best to shield Raheem Sterling from the media spotlight but a number of other personnel are queuing up to praise the starlet...
The rise to prominence of Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling has been as spectacular as it has been sudden and his well taken strike during Saturday's 1-0 victory over Reading will have further catapulted the 17-year-old into the public eye.
Sterling's first competitive goal for the Liverpool first team not only ensured a vital three points but also made him the second youngest scorer in the club's long and distinguished history behind Michael Owen.
Following a handful of brief substitute appearances towards the end of last season, when there was nothing left to play for, Sterling has started 7 of the 8 Premier League games played this season and excelled in nearly every one.
Protected from media interviews until after his 18th birthday, it has so far been left to others to comment on the former Queens Park Rangers trainee's impressive impact at the Merseyside giants.
Reds captain Steven Gerrard has again led the way since Sterling downed the Royals at Anfield, describing the Jamaican born speedster as 'brilliant', 'exciting' and 'deadly'.
"It's hard to play well every game. When you don't play well and the manager keeps playing you, he's telling you that you are ready for this level and that you are going to be here for a long time, so get out there and do your stuff," analysed Gerrard to the Liverpool ECHO.
"He did that on Saturday and he's been brilliant for us. He scored one very similar in pre-season and that goal will be great for his confidence.
"That's what will come into his game with more experience and the more belief he gets in himself.
"We all know he's exciting, that he can run at players and if he gets in one on one situations he's deadly.
"If he can add goals and assists to his game as he grows then he can go all the way to the top."
Fellow team mate Glen Johnson echoed Gerrard's sentiments telling the official club website Liverpoolfc.com: "We were delighted for Raheem to score his first goal and he deserved it.
"He just takes everything in his stride and is always willing to learn. He has got fantastic attributes and I'm pretty sure that this won't be his last goal in the Premier League that's for sure. He is a confident lad every day in training and he's a good lad as well. He is willing to learn and is learning quickly."
Having made his debut for the England U21s recently, in addition to previously receiving a senior Three Lions call-up to aid his development and experience, it would seem football at full international level is now very much a case of when and not if.
England chief Roy Hodgson has even hinted that Sterling's chance may come as early as November's friendly against Sweden. The former Kop boss telling The People newspaper: "I will use the November game in Sweden to look at a few players and Sterling is one.
"We allowed him to go with the U21s last time when we might well have taken him into our squad had they not had such an important game."
Despite his media ban, Sterling did give some insight into his feelings via social network Twitter, telling his followers on Saturday night: "Great day for me and my family to score for such a big club. One of the happiest days of my life."
The nurturing of Sterling's talent will be one of the key tasks Brendan Rodgers must deal with as his time at the Anfield helm unfolds. The task of restoring Liverpool to a competitive title chasing unit will be heavily aided if he can help the youngster fully realise his undoubted potential.
Fans will have seen via the documentary series Being: Liverpool that the 39-year-old ex-Swansea City manager is not afraid to criticise Sterling when required as he attempts to get the best out of him.
"Yes, there's some tough love going on, because he's still got an awful long way to go," admitted Rodgers in today's Daily Mirror.
"We want to have him here as a legend for many years. We don't want him at 17 years of age getting carried away with all the adulation and then at 21 he's washed up and everyone wants him out.
"The biggest thing with me is just maintaining the hunger he has now. When he has that and he's learning and developing he can be a really top player. There's a long way to go but he's been a revelation."
Vital Verdict
It's hard not to get carried away when a talent like Raheem comes along. Players with the ability to play at the top level at such a young age are few and far between - many get chucked in for a game or two but to make a lasting impact which captures a nation's attention is extremely rare. As well as his technical ability and blistering pace, Sterling appears to have a good footballing brain which will stand him in good stead for the long-term. His development is one of the biggest responsibilities handed to Rodgers when he took the vacant manger's position and getting it right will go a long way to helping him meet the wider goals of bringing success to the club.
Follow me on Twitter @superbag
No comments:
Post a Comment