Former Liverpool youngster Ryan McLaughlin claimed that Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling was always going to be “world star”.
The 26-year-old spent time with Sterling in the Reds’ youth ranks around a decade ago, as they both looked to forge careers in the game.
McLaughlin is currently at Rochdale and has forged a professional career, but his former teammate has reached far greater heights, maturing into one arguably of Europe’s most dangerous wide players.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, the ex-Liverpool youngster revealed how special Sterling was during their teenage years, saying it was inevitable that he would reach the very top:
He was a superstar as a kid and yet was so down to earth. He got bad press at the beginning of his career which was completely uncalled for because day in day out he was amazing.
We knew he’d be a world star and he hasn’t disappointed.
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Sterling has made himself a figure of dislike for some Liverpool supporters, after he joined City in rather acrimonious circumstances in 2015.
What cannot be denied is that the England international is a fantastic player, though, and Jurgen Klopp would surely love to have him in his squad.
Sterling’s pace, movement and end product have been devastating for City, with the forward scoring 107 goals in 260 appearances for the club.
Liverpool are well-stocked for wingers now, of course, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota wreaking havoc out wide, but one can’t help but wonder just how influential Sterling may have been for the Reds if he had remained at Anfield.
