Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
~ WELCOME TO KOP THIS.....SIGN UP TO HOLLYWOODS WORLD CUP PREDICTION LEAGUE AND WIN A BOTTLE OF RUM AND £1000 CASH!!!............FOLLOW THIS LINK: https://predictor.talksport.com/public/#/home .........YNWA. ~
Welcome to KOP THIS. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
TMreply
  • Pages:
  • 1
Is This Season Going To Be His Breakthrough?
Topic Started: Jul 2 2012, 04:55 AM (486 Views)
SonOfShankly
Member Avatar
Kop This Official Historian
Super Reds
Interview with Raheem Sterling taken from a Jamaican newspaper:

He is only 17 years old and hails from the tough Corporate Area community of Maverly, but Raheem Sterling rubs shoulders daily with football superstars, including Jamie Carragher, Luis Suárez and the England captain, Steven Gerrard.

He is quickly becoming a fan favourite at Anfield, the home of one of the biggest football clubs in the world, Liverpool FC, and has already represented England in a number of age-group tournaments.

But, months away from his 18th birthday, he remains the shy unassuming young man who left Maverley in Kingston 20 just over 10 years ago.

Sterling returned to Jamaica recently to attend the funeral of his grandfather, and were it not for the large group of young men trailing behind him one would never know that he has already attracted a £300,000 (J$40 million approx.) transfer fee.

His presence in Maverley over the past two weeks gave the community a huge lift as the young men saw one of their own - one whom they played street scrimmage with - emerging as one of the rising stars in world football.

They hung on to his every word, even though he did not say much, and tried to copy his every move as they juggled a football in the park metres from the house on Reapers Road where he spent his early years.

"He is definitely a positive influence," his mother, Nadine, told The Gleaner more than one year ago.

"He was born and bred in Maverley and I have even started suggesting to him that when everything is settled and the time is right, it would be great for him to go back to Jamaica, to his former school in particular. and talk to the kids about not giving up on their dreams and working hard for success and stuff like that," Nadine said at the time.

right time

Last week the time was right, and Raheem's influence was clearly obvious as the young, and even the not so young, dusted off their football boots.

"The 'Big Man' is here and we so proud of him," one elderly man declared as he announced that he watches every Liverpool match in the hope that "Raheem gets even five minutes on the field".

"When Chelsea buy me, and me and Raheem clash, a that time you a guh see ball play," declared a young boy no more than 12 years old.

Sterling took the adoration in his stride, as he has done most things since he came to national prominence in England while at the Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) academy.

"It is good playing with players like Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher," Sterling told The Sunday Gleaner as he spoke about breaking into the Liverpool first team last season.

"There was one time I came on and they were giving me the ball to say go and attack the fullback, so it was good to know that they had confidence in me and see me as a young player who is good enough," said the speedy and skilful winger.

Breaking into the Liverpool first team was a development that has helped to boost his confidence.

high point

"I have travelled with the first team down to places like Arsenal in the past, but I did not make the bench or anything so it was good to go on," said Sterling of the March 24 game against Wigan when he became the club's third-youngest player of all time.

That was the high point of a football career which started when he was a 10-year-old playing for a Sunday league team before he was snapped up by QPR and taken to its youth academy.

He started playing for England at the under-16 level and since then has represented every English age-group team, including the under-19 team which he played for this year.

"Hopefully, this season I will make a full breakthrough for the Liverpool first team and see where it goes from there."

For school, Sterling now attends classes twice each week at Liverpool juggling education and football.

He is contracted to Liverpool for two more years, but has no plans to leave the club anytime soon despite its decision to replace its cult hero and manager, Kenny Dalglish, for next season.

"He (Dalglish) is the one who gave me my debut, so I am grateful for that. To make my debut for Liverpool at 17 is quite an achievement, so I am happy that he had faith in me."

But Sterling has no concern about new manager Brendan Rodgers.

"It's actually quite a good trade because he wanted me to come down to Swansea on loan (last season), so he is a good manager."

Sterling returns to training with Liverpool on July 4, having enjoyed his time in Jamaica, to begin preparing for a season, hopefully better than last year when the club finished down the table with one trophy to show.

Will he return to represent the Reggae Boyz at any level? This is the question on everybody's lips in Maverley, but that is one issue Sterling is staying away from right now.

His mother, however, long ago, made it clear that seeing him in the black, green and gold would be her preference.

Speaking to The Gleaner in that 2011 interview, Nadine expressed a desire to see her son turn out for his native country, but if the English have any say, it is the red and white of 'The Three Lions' that he will continue to wear for a very long time.


He is only 17 years old and hails from the tough Corporate Area community of Maverly, but Raheem Sterling rubs shoulders daily with football superstars, including Jamie Carragher, Luis Suárez and the England captain, Steven Gerrard.

He is quickly becoming a fan favourite at Anfield, the home of one of the biggest football clubs in the world, Liverpool FC, and has already represented England in a number of age-group tournaments.

But, months away from his 18th birthday, he remains the shy unassuming young man who left Maverley in Kingston 20 just over 10 years ago.

Sterling returned to Jamaica recently to attend the funeral of his grandfather, and were it not for the large group of young men trailing behind him one would never know that he has already attracted a £300,000 (J$40 million approx.) transfer fee.

His presence in Maverley over the past two weeks gave the community a huge lift as the young men saw one of their own - one whom they played street scrimmage with - emerging as one of the rising stars in world football.

They hung on to his every word, even though he did not say much, and tried to copy his every move as they juggled a football in the park metres from the house on Reapers Road where he spent his early years.

"He is definitely a positive influence," his mother, Nadine, told The Gleaner more than one year ago.

"He was born and bred in Maverley and I have even started suggesting to him that when everything is settled and the time is right, it would be great for him to go back to Jamaica, to his former school in particular. and talk to the kids about not giving up on their dreams and working hard for success and stuff like that," Nadine said at the time.

right time

Last week the time was right, and Raheem's influence was clearly obvious as the young, and even the not so young, dusted off their football boots.

"The 'Big Man' is here and we so proud of him," one elderly man declared as he announced that he watches every Liverpool match in the hope that "Raheem gets even five minutes on the field".

"When Chelsea buy me, and me and Raheem clash, a that time you a guh see ball play," declared a young boy no more than 12 years old.

Sterling took the adoration in his stride, as he has done most things since he came to national prominence in England while at the Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) academy.

"It is good playing with players like Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher," Sterling told The Sunday Gleaner as he spoke about breaking into the Liverpool first team last season.

"There was one time I came on and they were giving me the ball to say go and attack the fullback, so it was good to know that they had confidence in me and see me as a young player who is good enough," said the speedy and skilful winger.

Breaking into the Liverpool first team was a development that has helped to boost his confidence.

high point

"I have travelled with the first team down to places like Arsenal in the past, but I did not make the bench or anything so it was good to go on," said Sterling of the March 24 game against Wigan when he became the club's third-youngest player of all time.

That was the high point of a football career which started when he was a 10-year-old playing for a Sunday league team before he was snapped up by QPR and taken to its youth academy.

He started playing for England at the under-16 level and since then has represented every English age-group team, including the under-19 team which he played for this year.

"Hopefully, this season I will make a full breakthrough for the Liverpool first team and see where it goes from there."

For school, Sterling now attends classes twice each week at Liverpool juggling education and football.

He is contracted to Liverpool for two more years, but has no plans to leave the club anytime soon despite its decision to replace its cult hero and manager, Kenny Dalglish, for next season.

"He (Dalglish) is the one who gave me my debut, so I am grateful for that. To make my debut for Liverpool at 17 is quite an achievement, so I am happy that he had faith in me."

But Sterling has no concern about new manager Brendan Rodgers.

"It's actually quite a good trade because he wanted me to come down to Swansea on loan (last season), so he is a good manager."

Sterling returns to training with Liverpool on July 4, having enjoyed his time in Jamaica, to begin preparing for a season, hopefully better than last year when the club finished down the table with one trophy to show.

Will he return to represent the Reggae Boyz at any level? This is the question on everybody's lips in Maverley, but that is one issue Sterling is staying away from right now.

His mother, however, long ago, made it clear that seeing him in the black, green and gold would be her preference.

Speaking to The Gleaner in that 2011 interview, Nadine expressed a desire to see her son turn out for his native country, but if the English have any say, it is the red and white of 'The Three Lions' that he will continue to wear for a very long time.

Source

I think we will see more of Raheem this season. His style of play suits Buck Rodgers way of football and as Raheem says in this interview, Rodgers did try to get him to Swansea on loan last season. I do think his mother is wrong though and expect him to want to play for England rather than Jamaica....
I would like to be remembered first and foremost as a man who looked after his family. I would also like people to say that I created something through hard work and never cheated anybody. Above all I would like to be remembered as a man who was selfless, who strived and worried so that others could share the glory, and who built up a family of people who could hold their heads high and say, "We are Liverpool"
Posted Image
off profile PBquote top
 
fredflunk
Member Avatar
Supreme Red
he has the 1 thing we need, SPEED
http://static.themetapicture.com/media/fun...ps-Xmen-art.jpg
off profile PBquote top
 
hughiealonso
Member Avatar

Elite Reds
Far too young to be relied on IMO.
�We can wait for it but I don�t want to say we can wait 20 years. If we sit here in four years I think we�ll have won one title � I�m pretty sure.�

No pressure Jurgen!
off profile PBquote top
 
bazaDred

Die-hard Reds
hughiealonso,Jul 2 2012
12:18 PM
Far too young to be relied on IMO.

yet still far better than nearly all the first team bar stevie and suarez <_<
off profile PBquote top
 
steve10

Elite Reds
The manager IMO made a major mistake last season in not giving Sterling more playing time- especially when other players were under-performing and we had nothing to play for. The only way players like Sterling are going to improve is first team football and not the reserve league.
off profile PBquote top
 
cactusjon
Member Avatar
Moderator
steve10,Jul 2 2012
02:37 PM
The manager IMO made a major mistake last season in not giving Sterling more playing time- especially when other players were under-performing and we had nothing to play for. The only way players like Sterling are going to improve is first team football and not the reserve league.

He's only 17/18 years old. Lets not overburden the lad with our expectations. Remember Pacheco?
Posted Image
off profile PBquote top
 
bazaDred

Die-hard Reds
cactusjon,Jul 2 2012
02:05 PM
He's only 17/18 years old. Lets not overburden the lad with our expectations. Remember Pacheco?

remember owen ;) if your good enough your onld enough and giving him a few more games especially when other wingers are doing f### all yet keeping there place wont do young sterling any harm .
off profile PBquote top
 
cactusjon
Member Avatar
Moderator
bazaDred,Jul 2 2012
03:09 PM
remember owen ;) if your good enough your onld enough and giving him a few more games especially when other wingers are doing f### all yet keeping there place wont do young sterling any harm .

No Baz, a few more games won't do him any harm. Saying that he is better than all but two players will though.
Posted Image
off profile PBquote top
 
hughiealonso
Member Avatar

Elite Reds
cactusjon,Jul 2 2012
02:13 PM
No Baz, a few more games won't do him any harm. Saying that he is better than all but two players will though.

What would you know!? We need to go into the season with him as first choice RM. Then if he doesn't perform we can castigate him and ruin him forever ;)
�We can wait for it but I don�t want to say we can wait 20 years. If we sit here in four years I think we�ll have won one title � I�m pretty sure.�

No pressure Jurgen!
off profile PBquote top
 
bazaDred

Die-hard Reds
cactusjon,Jul 2 2012
02:13 PM
No Baz, a few more games won't do him any harm. Saying that he is better than all but two players will though.

thats my opinion its not like he has got much competition cact and i wouldnt expect him to score or get any assists but if he did it would be a improvment on what we are getting from the left wing at the moment for sure :blink:
off profile PBquote top
 
steve10

Elite Reds
Nobody is saying that he should be first choice. Downing played most of the season without a single goal or assist in the league- Sterling should have been given a few more substitute appearances. In the 2 games in which he got 10 minutes each he did more than Downing managed in the whole season.
off profile PBquote top
 
cactusjon
Member Avatar
Moderator
bazaDred,Jul 2 2012
03:22 PM
thats my opinion its not like he has got much competition cact and i wouldnt expect him to score or get any assists but if he did it would be a improvment on what we are getting from the left wing at the moment for sure  :blink:

Your opinion is wrong then, as you are putting far too much pressure on the lad.

Interesting that you mentioned Owen before, because pushing him into the team from a young age, relying on him and playing him even when he wasn't physically up to it had no adverse affects on his later career, did it..... :blink:

He is a good up and coming player, how about letting him develop first before declaring him our saviour?

The sad thing is, given your reactionary nature if he is brought into the team and doesn't set the world alight, you'll be first in line to slag him off!
Posted Image
off profile PBquote top
 
bazaDred

Die-hard Reds
cactusjon,Jul 2 2012
02:29 PM
Your opinion is wrong then, as you are putting far too much pressure on the lad.

Interesting that you mentioned Owen before, because pushing him into the team from a young age, relying on him and playing him even when he wasn't physically up to it had no adverse affects on his later career, did it..... :blink:

He is a good up and coming player, how about letting him develop first before declaring him our saviour?

The sad thing is, given your reactionary nature if he is brought into the team and doesn't set the world alight, you'll be first in line to slag him off!

were did i say play him week in week out like we did with owen ???? :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
off profile PBquote top
 
cactusjon
Member Avatar
Moderator
bazaDred,Jul 2 2012
03:34 PM
cactusjon,Jul 2 2012
02:29 PM
Your opinion is wrong then, as you are putting far too much pressure on the lad.

Interesting that you mentioned Owen before, because pushing him into the team from a young age, relying on him and playing him even when he wasn't physically up to it had no adverse affects on his later career, did it.....  :blink:

He is a good up and coming player, how about letting him develop first before declaring him our saviour?

The sad thing is, given your reactionary nature if he is brought into the team and doesn't set the world alight, you'll be first in line to slag him off!

were did i say play him week in week out like we did with owen ???? :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

So you agree that Owen was NOT a good example of how to bring young talent through.... In which case, why bring him up as a good example in the first place?

:wacko:
Posted Image
off profile PBquote top
 
bazaDred

Die-hard Reds
cactusjon,Jul 2 2012
02:40 PM
bazaDred,Jul 2 2012
03:34 PM
cactusjon,Jul 2 2012
02:29 PM
Your opinion is wrong then, as you are putting far too much pressure on the lad.

Interesting that you mentioned Owen before, because pushing him into the team from a young age, relying on him and playing him even when he wasn't physically up to it had no adverse affects on his later career, did it.....  :blink:

He is a good up and coming player, how about letting him develop first before declaring him our saviour?

The sad thing is, given your reactionary nature if he is brought into the team and doesn't set the world alight, you'll be first in line to slag him off!

were did i say play him week in week out like we did with owen ???? :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

So you agree that Owen was NOT a good example of how to bring young talent through.... In which case, why bring him up as a good example in the first place?

:wacko:

no owen was a good example of if your good enough your old enough as to how often you play those young players is up for debate ;)
off profile PBquote top
 
cactusjon
Member Avatar
Moderator
bazaDred,Jul 2 2012
03:44 PM
cactusjon,Jul 2 2012
02:40 PM
bazaDred,Jul 2 2012
03:34 PM
cactusjon,Jul 2 2012
02:29 PM
Your opinion is wrong then, as you are putting far too much pressure on the lad.

Interesting that you mentioned Owen before, because pushing him into the team from a young age, relying on him and playing him even when he wasn't physically up to it had no adverse affects on his later career, did it.....  :blink:

He is a good up and coming player, how about letting him develop first before declaring him our saviour?

The sad thing is, given your reactionary nature if he is brought into the team and doesn't set the world alight, you'll be first in line to slag him off!

were did i say play him week in week out like we did with owen ???? :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

So you agree that Owen was NOT a good example of how to bring young talent through.... In which case, why bring him up as a good example in the first place?

:wacko:

no owen was a good example of if your good enough your old enough as to how often you play those young players is up for debate ;)

If you're good enough, you're old enough is clearly a nonsense statement then because there are more factors than "is he good enough" when trying to consider if a 17 year old is yet worthy of a regular place, hence us talking about whether he is physically capable of playing a regular part (which he clearly isn't yet).

Give the lad time and have realistic expectations for him.

Posted Image
off profile PBquote top
 
bazaDred

Die-hard Reds
Disagree again a player can be used sparingly at 17 yet still have enough inpact on a sides fortunes to make a big differance ie fairclough hardly played in season 77 but had a massive inpact that season ,so could a good up and coming youngster do that ? yes of course he could ,did owen have a inpact in his forst world cup for england off the bench ? yes he made a massive differance without starting certain games so stop talking shiete cact . ;)
off profile PBquote top
 
John_Boy

Legendary Reds
if you are good enough, then you are old enough. the issue with us is that we can't develop these youths. we have a geranium team who are always on the backfoot - not a good environment to blood youngsters. catch 22.
The ring master says the circus show must go on! 🎪
off profile PBquote top
 
cactusjon
Member Avatar
Moderator
bazaDred,Jul 2 2012
04:10 PM
Disagree again a player can be used sparingly at 17 yet still have enough inpact on a sides fortunes to make a big differance ie fairclough hardly played in season 77 but had a massive inpact that season ,so could a good up and coming youngster do that ? yes of course he could ,did owen have a inpact in his forst world cup for england off the bench ? yes he made a massive differance without starting certain games so stop talking shiete cact . ;)

Have you even read anything I've put? Clearly not, because if you had you would have realised thats exactly what I am saying.

He's obviously not old enough yet to be a first teamer, and to proclaim him as one of our best players is ludicrous (but apparently, I'm the one talking shite).
Posted Image
off profile PBquote top
 
cactusjon
Member Avatar
Moderator
John_Boy,Jul 2 2012
08:06 PM
if you are good enough, then you are old enough. the issue with us is that we can't develop these youths. we have a geranium team who are always on the backfoot - not a good environment to blood youngsters. catch 22.

Theres more to being a professional footballer than being good enough. He is not physically capable of being a full-time first teamer yet.

He's 17. Give him a chance to develop FFS.
Posted Image
off profile PBquote top
 
John_Boy

Legendary Reds
cactusjon,Jul 2 2012
07:22 PM
Theres more to being a professional footballer than being good enough. He is not physically capable of being a full-time first teamer yet.

He's 17. Give him a chance to develop FFS.

how do we develop him?
The ring master says the circus show must go on! 🎪
off profile PBquote top
 
cactusjon
Member Avatar
Moderator
John_Boy,Jul 3 2012
11:32 AM
cactusjon,Jul 2 2012
07:22 PM
Theres more to being a professional footballer than being good enough. He is not physically capable of being a full-time first teamer yet.

He's 17. Give him a chance to develop FFS.

how do we develop him?

How do you think? Stop asking stupid questions.
Posted Image
off profile PBquote top
 
bazaDred

Die-hard Reds
cactusjon,Jul 2 2012
07:20 PM
Have you even read anything I've put? Clearly not, because if you had you would have realised thats exactly what I am saying.

He's obviously not old enough yet to be a first teamer, and to proclaim him as one of our best players is ludicrous (but apparently, I'm the one talking shite).

yes you are cact ,the lad can be a big part of our team this season without playing to much ,i am not saying the lad will be getting hatricks from the bench every game but i think he will do well enough to make an impact and at the times he is looking a boit jaded then i am sure brendan will rest him when needed its not like i am saying he should even start any games for lfc .
off profile PBquote top
 
red machine
Member Avatar

Die-hard Reds
He is good potential...but so were the likes of partridge and were are they now.
Harness his talent..16 to 20 are the potential years ...not 21/ 22 or even 29 in downings case as some would have us believe.
The determining factor for sterling is how good is the team now and it isnt good at all so him going in expecting miracles from him is too much.
Let him gradualy play his part with more apearances then if he warrants it keep his place on merit.
off profile PBquote top
 
cactusjon
Member Avatar
Moderator
bazaDred,Jul 3 2012
12:05 PM
cactusjon,Jul 2 2012
07:20 PM
Have you even read anything I've put? Clearly not, because if you had you would have realised thats exactly what I am saying.

He's obviously not old enough yet to be a first teamer, and to proclaim him as one of our best players is ludicrous (but apparently, I'm the one talking shite).

yes you are cact ,the lad can be a big part of our team this season without playing to much ,i am not saying the lad will be getting hatricks from the bench every game but i think he will do well enough to make an impact and at the times he is looking a boit jaded then i am sure brendan will rest him when needed its not like i am saying he should even start any games for lfc .

Isn't that what I've been saying?
Posted Image
off profile PBquote top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · LFC General · Next Topic »
TMreply
  • Pages:
  • 1