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According to the Evening Standard’s Tim Rich, Liverpool are reportedly going to reject Manchester City’s third offer of $81 million (AUD) to lure away winger Raheem Sterling from Anfield, but apparently the Reds would be open to accepting an improved offer.
Liverpool’s public position is that they will hold the 20-year-old, who has demanded $307,000 a week, to the two remaining years of his contract at $61,000 a week and let him go for nothing in the summer of 2017.
It is a bully move by the club who seem more intent on making a public statement to the player than making smart football decisions.
The fact is, Liverpool have a fledgling starlet that has outgrown his contract and is looking for bigger opportunities at a Champions League club.
Sterling has repeatedly demanded a move away from the club with his agent previously going on record and stating that Sterling would not resign with Liverpool even if the club offered him $1.8 million a week. Raheem’s agent Aidy Ward has built up quite a reputation for coming out with daft and outlandish statements, but regardless it has been made abundantly clear over the last couple of months that Sterling has very little interest in extending his stay on Merseyside.
For Liverpool, they seem to be letting emotion cloud their judgement with Raheem and appear to be hellbent on sending a message to the player that he is not bigger than the club, something that you can often not put a price tag on.
Liverpool’s justification for not offering Sterling wage parity with teammate Daniel Sturridge is that they will not give in to the demands of the player, but at what point does sending a message clout the actual estimated worth of the player?
If Sterling was at a Tottenham or a Southampton, would Liverpool be willing to break their record transfer fee of $71 million for the player? Probably not, so why would they turn down an offer of $81 million from City?
Firstly, Liverpool may know that City have the funds and are most likely testing to see if City will increase their offer. If Liverpool are going to let one of their best young English talents walk to a perceived rival, you can bet they’re going to try and soak every last penny out of the club that’s buying.
Secondly, Liverpool may be holding out for a better offer. The Reds decision makers seem to have no problem in letting Sterling sweat it out while they deliberate over his future, they may be willing to see if any other clubs come out and top City’s lucrative offer. Although Real Madrid have been reportedly monitoring the situation for sometime, it is difficult seeing Madrid improving on City’s offer given the current crop of attacking talent they have at the Bernabeu.
Thirdly, they may be hoping for a miraculous turnaround in Sterling’s attitude by the start of the next season and are hoping he comes full circle and reinvigorates his passion and desire to play for Liverpool. Very unlikely, but Liverpool have had a history of holding out hope on bust signings so holding out hope for Sterling is right in their wheelhouse.
However, the Reds choose to handle the Sterling situation, they have come off as quite petty and would probably handle a number of different elements to the situation differently next time, but there is no doubt that Brendan Rodgers’ side could benefit from the funds that a Sterling sale would provide.
If Liverpool are looking to get back into Champions League football next season, they’re going to have to make a number of improvements and sign some quality players that can make amends for how the Luis Suarez money was spent last summer.
Liverpool need to find a replacement for Steven Gerrard in midfield, a proven striker than can either play alongside Daniel Sturridge or at least provide cover for when he inevitably gets injured, and they could also use some money on fixing up their defence as Liverpool conceded 10 more goals than any top four team.
The Sterling situation has been drawn out for quite sometime now and only time will tell what Liverpool value more – sending a message to an individual or rebuilding their football team.
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