Speaking to reporters on Thursday morning, Dalglish was quizzed on 17-year-old Raheem Sterling, who he handed a debut as a substitute when Wigan visited Anfield last weekend. The boss said: "We need to have common sense and make sure we do a professional job on any of the kids coming in. "Anybody who comes here must have a chance of being a professional footballer, but he's got a much better chance if we face reality. We've got to be realistic with him. "At the same time we've got to be appreciative and realise it doesn't matter what age they are if they're good enough. "But there is a bit of time to go yet on all of the kids. Last year we threw in Jack Robbo and Flanno and it never fazed them, but physically they were a bit stronger than Raheem. "Every case is going to be different so we've got to look at them all individually and manage them, because we want them here for a long time." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/kd-andy-nerves-could-be-good
precisely.... those clamouring for the kid to play don't think and never think about their well being, confidence or preparedness. Sterling is very yonug, still growing, is quite brillinat at somethings and quite average at others.... to just begin starting him home and away would be bad for him before he is ready. After all our club has epxerience of FOWLER, OWEN, GERRARD.... all 3 injured and never giving tier all in their prime for us. Fowler got injured in a preseason friendly with everton, he started at 17, he also broke his leg in that debut year... owen was over played young and ripped his legs to bits.... gerrard was the same, still growing and ended up unable to even sit on a plane without pain. Today's issues stem form those days. If we PROTECT sterling thats great... however i think we all realise that he's learend all he can toying with reserve full backs and must progress to the firsts. Kenny has in his wisdom waited for him to sign pro terms and finish the next gen, maybe thats 3 months too long but in the long run bringing him in gently, letting him expereince home and away days with the firsts, rianign with the firsts will all stand him in good stead for next season and beyond. I just hope he's ACTUALLY good enough. sterling good points 1. pace 2. positioning is brillinat at reserve level, he takes up such great positions that he gets free so oftern. 3. skills are quite tasty on the ball sterling's areas needing improvement. 1. finishing to be honest is weak. I think if he gets a chance in the firsts he may well fluff his lines with a weak shot. 2. crossing - not great, needs to build up strength 3. poistional sense - perversely there are two sides to the coin, offensively he's great, defensviely he needs to know where to be and when to make his runs so he's not out of position. I've seen him be playing in a striekrs place but supposed to be left wing and his full back being totally exposed.
Good article. I agree with all of that. While almost every Liverpool wants to see how he goes in the first team we have to be smart with him he looks very small and weak at the moment.
Well put mate, you're right I agree he does need to be managed, I just thought Kenny could have put what he said differently after Wigan but we were all pissed off with the result so there you go
I agree with Kenny here. The form we're in there isn't much to cheer about in the league. But with Sterling playing a lot of pressure will be put on the lad to be amazing, and it is said a lot, but he is only 17 and doesn't need that sort of pressure on him yet. He's still got his whole career ahead of him, and if we're 2-3 up and cruising I don't see much wrong with giving him 10 minutes or so just to get some experience. I'm pretty sure we'll see more of him in preseason, so I look forward to that.
As is always the case we love to see young players coming through and watching to see how they develop. There is always something refreshing about having youth players who succeed but as always we have a responsibility as fans to temper our expectations slightly. We may have a few gems come through over the next 2 or 3 years but they're no use to us in the long run if they are mis-handled now
Mito's points were very well put and I believe that the same logic was behind what Kenny said after the Wigan game. Now he has expanded those comments so that the people who chose to argue with him can see whay he said what he did. I doubt there is anybody on this board who do not wish the best poosible for Raheem and all of the other potentially outstanding youngsters. However in both their, and the clubs, best long term interests we should be very careful with them. Even if you believe that the fitness regimes today are far better than in the past (ie that what happened to Gerrard, Owen and Fowler would not happen today) you only have to look at the experience of say Wellbeck and Smalling at United, Sturridge at Chelsea and Kelly here at Liverpool. All of them have had injuries that stem from their developing bodies having to cope with the demands of the Premiership game. Last season Kenny had no option but to throw in the kids - and they did him proud. But both he and they know that the cost of playing regularly before you're physically able, is very high indeed.
I disagree with you quite a bit on some of his weaknesses TBH, I think hes quite a bit better than you think,and Ive probably seen 10/12 full games if not more on TV and in real life of Raheem now Pace 9.5 /10, lightning quick as quick or quicker than Owen at his peak Pace over short distance 10/10 , pace over 60 yds not really important in football, over 10 yds its massive, hes as quick as there is in world football IMO Skills 9/10 , very 2 footed, technically very gifted, possibly one of best/ THE best British players Ive seen EVER running at pace with ball, awesome close control Finishing 8/10 I think hes pretty good here too not missed may chance that Ive seen Crossing 8/10 Again think hes a pretty good crosser too, his 2 footedness helps him here, this is why has more potential than both say Walcott/LennonI( similar players ) his final delivery is lots better Positioning, 7/10- No probs going forward, may get caught defensively but dont think that would be problem with Enrique anyway ( best defensive LB in prem). Work ethic good too 8/10
thats fair enough.. I do agree with you about his pace and skills but i'm afraid i've seen him fluff his lines too many times to rate him as highly as i would have rated owen at 17. owen never missed a chance at that elvel... raheem gets into wonderful positions and then hits the keeper a lot or puts a weak shot in. I think he can improve this. I think pace, yes he's as fast as owen ever was, skills are far better than owen or gerrard, crossing is ok... i think his vision, or should i say just getting his head up for a pass has improved no end i nthe last two years.... I think over all thats kind of moot as we'd both agree he's not going to get better playing at a level that is frankly too low for him.... i think he will improve time and again as he develops and gains experience. I think the big test is attitude, will he be thinking he's it like a le tallec or will he be like and owen or even a pongolle who kicks on. its important that his reaction to the promotion is good. kelly reacted very well i think, flanagan has done ok that way too... if he does this then having say 5-6 sub appearences (max he can get) will stand him in good stead for next year... BUT comolli needs to do his work and get him on a 6 year deal if he does react well..
