Sterling offered ‘incredible deal’
BRENDAN RODGERS has warned Raheem Sterling’s advisers that Liverpool will not be held to ransom over his future — and revealed the England forward has been offered ‘an incredible deal’. Liverpool have been in talks with Sterling’s party for much of the season but the 20-year-old is yet to put pen to paper on a new contract. Club captain Steven Gerrard expressed his wish that Sterling and Jordan Henderson get tied down to long-term
contracts and Rodgers is confident that will happen soon. But he made it clear Liverpool will not be paying over the odds, saying: ‘Both players are very, very important for the future and the club recognise that. ‘Raheem has made some great strides and will get rewarded for that,’ he added. ‘I am only saying what I know the club has offered, which is an incredible deal for a young player.’
BRENDAN RODGERS has predicted Liverpool will benefit from Harry Kane’s spectacular rise — as it will spur Daniel Sturridge on to cement himself as England’s No 1 striker.
The biggest game in the Barclays Premier League this week takes place at Anfield tonight, with man- ofthe-moment Kane and Tottenham’s rapidly improving side looking to derail Liverpool’s hopes of clambering back into the top four.
Rodgers, a keen admirer of Kane, believes it is a question of when, rather than if, he gets a senior England call-up but he has given the 21-year- old an idea of how much further he has to climb by labelling Sturridge the best English forward in the business.
After Sturridge’s three appearances off the bench in a week, Rodgers is because it means you get another top-quality striker. But, for me, there is not anyone better than Daniel Sturridge.
‘He’s got everything in his game if he’s playing consistently. His goalscoring record, his pace, his power — he’s got everything and as an English striker there’s noone better than him.
‘I’m sure Daniel will look at it that there’s another young English striker coming through and that will really help him when they come together at international level. When Daniel is on the field he gives the opponents’ defence a real problem but also he’s a natural goalscorer.’
Liverpool have carefully managed Sturridge’s rehabilitation and while the stakes against Tottenham are high, he will only start if Rodgers is satisfied he can stand the strain.
‘He has got a big, big talent,’ said Rodgers. ‘He’s going to have to try and work his way back to fitness in games as there’s so little time in between games to train.’
Rodgers’s preparations for the clash with Tottenham have been hindered by a thigh injury to key midfielder Lucas Leiva, which will keep him out for at least a month. It is a blow for the manager as Liverpool have been unbeaten in the last 11 Premier League games he has started.
That run has helped them get into contention for a Champions League place but, equally, their poor start to the campaign means they have given themselves no margin for error.
Rodgers insists he is under no pressure from Fenway Sports Group, the club’s owners. ‘We had a good chat after training,’ said Rodgers, referring to a visit to Melwood from John W Henry and Tom Werner. ‘They are on a flying visit for the game. I’ve never been set any targets but they know the type of manager they employed was a manager who wants to succeed.
‘For us, (the top four) is where we want to be and, after not such a good start to the season, we are picking up. We want to continue with the momentum and that’s all we can focus on.’