BBC - Liverpool make bid for Lallana - Part II

I always thought Sterling was indeed overrated ,had a good game against Italy but against Uruguay wasn't good at all.
Don't forget before Xmas Liverpool were looking to loan him out to play in the championship (if rumours were to be believed)....
But as much as I like Adam and think he is quality I don't think he will be a hero at and Liverpool,he will be playing from the bench most of the time with about 20-30 minutes to make a difference.
Then the kop will turn on him.

 

Ta. I did miss that. Yes, that's harsh. He is a good player and no point taking his pace out of the equation... that's like saying if you take the Fat out of me, I'd be Le Tiss

 

Take his pace away, what has he got?

 

Disagree. Any little injury in the wrong place could make him significantly less effective.

 

I think the fact he's played AMC rather than the wing on plenty of occasions shows he has technical ability, and remember his composure when he scored in that massive City game?

Still, he needs to show a lot more of that before I'm sold.

 

Well when that happens, we can come back and say he's not very good. Now, he has pace and is good.

 

He's not just all about pace for goodness sake. That's an absurd suggestion, akin to saying "all Owen had was pace".

 

Not sure anybody is implying anything Black, but you seem to be inferring something. What is that?

 

I don't like people talking about little injuries finishing players...not whilst our beloved Jay is crocked.

 

For what it's worth, here's what I believe - Lallana is a better all round player at this exact moment, however I think he's near his ceiling. Sterling's potential ceiling, if he is coached well and improves at a decent rate, is higher than Adam's current level.

 

Sean Wright-Phillips, Theo Walcott, Michael Owen...

All fantastic players in their teens, but did they fulfill their expected potential?

I'm sure there are many more. All I'm saying is, is that you have to judge a players ability on the here and now, not on what it might be in five years time. That's why the Luke Shaw deal is not so bad for Saints. There is no certainty that he will become the player we all think he will.

 

I think Adam Rat was great for us...not sure how much more is left. Is he top four material...unsure. Just have to wait and see.

 

Isn't Michael Owen in England's top 5 all-time scorers?

Isn't Theo still a top Premier League player and an England International?

I'll give you Wright-Phillips, but to be fair to him he had the pressure of living in the shadow of his most talented brother

 

Sure, and I would agree with that, but then MU are spending that much because of the perceived potential. You could write an equally long list of people that have gone on to realise their potential - there was a time where Ronaldo was just a stepover queen, and he's turned out okay. Messi, Aguero, Kompany, Robben, Bale etc etc etc. It works both ways, and that's why clubs will pay big money for obvious potential. Sterling has obvious potential.

 

Lol - I can see inflatable Roland Rats being waved at Anfield from the away end come August.

 

There's a maturity about Luke. Defenders get better with experience...he will be in the England team for the foreseeable future.

 

nicely put.

 

Do I really have to lay it out for you? Okay...

The general consensus is that while Lallana is better now, Sterling is better than Lallana was 5/6 years ago. Right? Am I wrong? Ergo, the implication is that should Sterling improve at a similar rate as Lallana has, then he will be a better player when he reaches Adam's current age.

You didn't get this implication at all? Really?

 

Well if he improves at the same rate as Adam has, he will be a better player, no? That's not an implication, it's actually just basic maths! (I hate maths).

 

I don't think 2 appearances for England under Roy "boring football" Hodgson is much to judge him on to be honest

He was arguably our best performer in the 2nd half of the season ahead of Suarez (who actually went off the boil a bit) and Sturridge. Remember the guy is only 19 as well. 10 goals in 44 appearances from a wide role or behind the front 2 isn't bad for a 19 year old, plus the number of assists and defensive work which often went unnoticed.

General feeling is Lallana will be competing with Allen for a starting spot (one which based on last year he'd win hands down) alongside Henderson in front of Gerrard in that diamond position with Sterling/Coutinho ahead of them (although with Suarez out that formation may well change). Read a stat that he was 2nd to Henderson in distance covered last year which added to his goals will compliment the rest of our midfield with those 2 doing a lot of the closing down allowing Gerrard to sit deep and reserve his energy.

With the suspension to Suarez and extra competition this year he'll get plenty of football I'm sure.