Raheem Sterling - The Teenage Sensation

 

Raheem Sterling has burst onto the scene for Liverpool FC, at just 17 years of age the youngster has already meant veteran Downing has had to switch his role to defensive duties at left back. So, where has this prodigy came from and will he cement himself in the Liverpool team for many years to come or simply drop from the spotlight as many have done before him. Sterling's career didn’t start at Liverpool instead he came through QPR's youth academy, even back then his talents were impressing many in the football world this was the beginning of what looks set to be a fantastic career. The teenager’s talents began attracting interest and in February 2010 Liverpool had an offer accepted for his signature of a small fee of £600,000 but appearances and performance add ons could raise the fee in the region of £5 million. Liverpool FC has a great history of taking raw talents and refining them into brilliant players Owen, Gerrard and Fowler a few of the big names in English and world football. It’s fair to say Sterling had joined a club with an illustrious past and one with big ambition for winning trophies on the greatest stage which at the moment in time has eluded them. Raheem is making a big splash in England so how far can he go?

Sterling stands at 5ft 7in a respectable size for a modern winger, the physicality of the English game is sometimes a stumbling block in smaller player’s careers. This however didn’t stop him excelling in youth and reserve team football for the Reds, the 14th of February "Valentine’s day" saw him enter the hearts of Liverpool fans, the FA youth cup saw Sterling amazingly grab five goals in a 9-0 win. This may only be youth level but 5 goals at any level in the professional game is a fantastic achievement, it showed he was above that level at such a tender age and began featuring in reserve games for Liverpool FC. Kenny Dalglish was in charge of Liverpool when he got his first appearance in the Premier League as a substitute in the 2-1 loss against Wigan Athletic, he received a rapturous applause from the Anfield faithful who were excited to see one of the youngsters rise through the ranks all the way to the first 11. The 4-1 win against Chelsea saw him also come on late in the game as a substitute and could have scored with his first touch on the field highlighting the threat he carries. After Dalglish was sacked as manager Brendan Rodgers came in to replace the Liverpool legend, his emphasis on high wingers and promoting of youth in first team plans was the boost young Raheem needed.

Brendan Rodgers announced his squad that he would be taking on Liverpool's North American tour; Raheem Sterling was included in the list which carried a mixture of youth and experience. The first game played was against Toronto, Sterling came on in the second half and looked alert and his pace was causing problems down the left. Sterling played a major part in the equaliser when he took the ball through the defence and his low shot tricked past the goalkeeper where Adam Morgan was on hand to stab the ball home for his first goal for Liverpool FC. This performance impressed Rodgers and his continuation of form during the pre-season meant the expectation and excitement began to build around the player and whether he would feature in Rodgers plans this season. Liverpool faced FC Gomel in the Europa League qualifier and Sterling made the bench for the fixture, Joe Cole became injured around 20 minutes into the game and Sterling was sent on to replace him. He performed well and the friendly against Bayern Leverkusen saw him start the game and only a few minutes into the game scored his first senior goal, a penetrating run down the left saw him break away from the defence, cutting inside he then speculatively curled the ball into the far corner leaving the keeper no chance. Another Europa League fixture, another start for young Sterling and he didn’t disappoint. Hearts defence was left in fear with Sterling's raw pace and quick feet his Motm performance left fans and pundits speechless how a player so young can have so much maturity and quality to his play. Rodgers was clearly so impressed he took a huge risk to start him in a full Premier League game against defending champions Manchester City. Sterling was not at all phased by the occasion seemingly too young to be afraid and played fantastically, he could have been Motm and in some options was, but Joe Allen on his home debut picked up that accolade. 

Sterling is primarily a wide midfielder, his pace, vision and dribbling skills make him a perfect match for the fast paced action of the Premier League. In every game he has played once the ball has arrived at his feet there is only one thing on his mind, taking the defender on. Sterling is not phased who he is up against this showed against City, Toure a highly experienced and top quality centre back however Sterling gave him the run around for 90 minutes. The technique he shows when up against a defender is that of a modern winger he aims to either beat them with speed leaving them behind or tempting them in for a tackle only for his quick feet to shuffle his way past the opponent. The last few games he has appeared in for Liverpool have seen him adapt a persistence to try and side foot and curl the ball rather than strike it with conviction whether this is a personal preference or something he works on in training it sometimes makes him predictable and the shot a lot safer to deal with for the goalkeeper. The youngster has represented England on 3 different youth levels and has impressed similarly there as with his club, scoring 4 goals in total. However internationally his senior career seems unresolved with him eligible to play for England or his native country Jamaica, he is open to the opportunity to play for Jamaica and if reports are to be believed his mother would prefer he turned out in the colours of green black and yellow. I’m sure England fans who have seen the emergence of the starlet would much prefer him to play for the three lions but the choice is up to Sterling alone.

Raheem Sterling looks to already have established himself in Rodgers plans and with his exposure to first team football can only become more refined and mature as a player. He is what Liverpool have lacked for a long time a player with pace who is willing to take on defenders and create something out of nothing, every time the 17 year old gets the ball the Anfield crowd rise expecting a dash of brilliance. The right guidance and tutoring will see him grow into a hugely talented player and with the greats of Gerrard and Carragher gracing the same pitch of him he has role models worthy of any player. A video emerged of the American tour where Rodgers reacted to something Sterling had said and gave the youngster a stern talk, this kind of man management will help keep his feet on the ground and learn and Rodgers appreciates him as a player but also as a person. It’s clear to see Raheem Sterling is talented and if he works hard as he is doing I’m sure there is no limit for the teenager. 

What are your opinions on Raheem Sterling and are there any young stars you would like me to write about leave a comment below, thanks.