Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers: Don’t blame Raheem Sterling

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Anfield manager in show of support for England international.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insists that young attacker Raheem Sterling is being badly advised by his agent with regards to a recent BBC interview undertaken by the England international as well as an ongoing contractual disagreements according to the Daily Mail.

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Rodgers was speaking following his side’s 4-1 defeat to Arsenal that all but ends their hopes of a top four finish and the resultant Champions League berth that such a finish secures.

The Northern Irish manager seems keen to shield the youngster from criticism and has made it abundantly clear as to who he feels is to blame for the current crisis the player finds himself in.

‘I’ve had a good chat with him. I have given him my opinion on it. This is a young kid who has been advised to do something else. A 20-year-old boy does not pick up the phone to ask to speak to the BBC.

‘You don’t do that; him in particular. He just wants to play his football. But of course if he’s asked to do that by other parties then that’s what he’ll do.

‘In the modern game it is obviously something that frustrates us all but it is the market and where football is at. In fairness to Raheem, I brought him in from the youth team and the reserves and I know that a big part of this is actually nothing to do with him.’

The Daily Mail claims that Sterling has turned down the offer of a new £100k a week contract and with just over two years to run on his current deal it’s no surprise that the situation has lef the Liverpool man vulnerable to approaches.

Rodgers however believes Sterling’s career progression would be best served by remaining at the Merseyside outfit.

‘In my time in coaching there are a lot of very, very good agents. The only thing I would say on Raheem’s situation is that anyone can see that for his football development and financially, Liverpool Football Club is the best place for him. There is absolutely no question of that.

‘I think he enjoys being at Liverpool and loves playing for Liverpool and knows he is privileged to play in front of Liverpool supporters. As a kid he knows the opportunity is there for him to improve as a footballer. What that will be in five, six, seven years time is different.

But for this moment of his career and life, he really enjoys it. He has said that himself. He has talked very openly about loving his football and playing for a great club like Liverpool.’

Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal leaves the club seven points behind current fourth place side Man City, who have a game in hand over Rodgers’ side.

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