STERLING HAS HEART OF A LION
RAHEEM STERLING has the resilience to shine on the biggest stage.
That’s the message from England boss Gareth Southgate, who has praised the Manchester City striker’s heart ahead of his return to Liverpool today. The forward lives in the spotlight having made a high-profile £49million move from Anfield to The Etihad.
Failing to score for England for three years has also brought criticism for Sterling, 23 (left). And he’s guaranteed a hot reception today from the Kop in the top-of-the-table battle. But Southgate insists he can cope with the negative element of the attention he attracts. The England manager said: “I think life in sport is about developing resilience and there is no smooth path.
“The top, top players all have to overcome setbacks and are constantly being questioned. We think their world is easier because of their status, but actually there’s more pressure on them and their world is a bit different to the others who aren’t judged as harshly or in the same way.
“Raheem has dealt with it really well for someone who is still really young. I know how ambitious he is, but I also know the easy thing to do is sometimes step back from the challenge.
“But you have to keep proving in life that you are ready to answer the questions put in front of you, because there are always questions. There is also always another level to go to and I have no doubt he can take on that challenge.
“Look at last season at City. People said, ‘Will he get in? Will he be able to be a big part of their season?’ But he took it on and had a massive impact on the team that won the league.
“This time, there’s Riyad Mahrez coming in and another challenge – and boom, there he is again. So all the evidence shows us he can overcome things and we look forward to working with him all the time.”
Southgate also praised Sterling’s performances in Russia as the Three Lions made it to a World Cup semi-final for the first time since 1990.
The City man came in for stick from both pundits and fans alike – but Southgate insists Sterling was key to his side’s success.
“He was able to stretch defences at the World Cup and that caused them problems,” he added. “He found really clever pockets of space that overloaded the midfield.
“He works incredibly hard without the ball in our team. Our attacking players hit that required category in the summer. They have that work ethic, they press well and Raheem brought all those things to us in the summer.
“Again, he has started well with City and he should feel good about what he is doing.” BIG DEAL: Southgate
It’s something I wanted to cherish. And this isn’t going to be a straightforward challenge, having got to a semi-final.
“We perhaps didn’t expect the difficulties we’ve had at the start of this season with playing time and things like that.
“But then you have a decision because it’s going to be difficult, are you going to walk away from it or are you going to embrace that challenge and take it on?
“I was very clear I wanted to take it on and embrace having to make different sorts of decisions than England managers have had to in the past. But that is exciting.
“I’ve the chance to make a difference, not just now, but mid-to-long term as well.
“It will mean more than any other project you can be involved in. I had a brilliant relationship with all the clubs I played for and special bonds with all of them, but the national teams always meant that little bit more.”
Next up for Southgate is the UEFA Nations League with matches in Croatia on Friday and then Spain three days later.
The first of those is being played in Rijeka behind closed doors – a punishment for the home team after fans painted a swastika on the pitch before a previous match.
And Southgate admits he would have preferred to play in a boisterous Croatian atmosphere.
He added: “It’ll be the first time I’ve been in a game like this and it will have a very different feel.
“My preference would have been for a stadium that is full and bouncing.”