Aidy Ward, the agent of former Reds star winger Raheem Sterling says his client should still be a Liverpool player, and blames the club – particularly Brendan Rodgers – for his departure.
Sterling joined Manchester City in the summer after a long, drawn-out transfer saga that led to bad blood between all parties concerned, but Ward, who received a lot of abuse for his role in the winger leaving, has explained the reasoning behind the transfer.
Speaking to Adrian Durham of The Mail Online, Ward said:
Raheem could’ve stayed, he should be at Liverpool. I think for me it was like he was being told to be a good boy and sign a contract. In December, I spoke to Liverpool and said we’ll sign a contract if there is a buy-out clause – those clauses are now common practice. They said no to that.
Then there was an underhandedness, there were sly remarks. In press conferences, Brendan told everyone Raheem would sign – why do that? I knew, Brendan knew and Liverpool knew there was an issue. Right now he probably should be a Liverpool player, but he’s not and he’s in a great place at City.
Ward also admitted that he has no issues with anybody at Liverpool, bar former manager Rodgers who he thinks treated his client poorly.
I became the bad guy, that’s how I was portrayed,’ he said. ‘It started from the PR behind Liverpool. There is no issue with the fans there, they don’t know the full story, and there are lots of good people at Liverpool. I had no problem with Ian Ayre for example. I have no issue with anyone but Rodgers. He had a massive job with massive funds. How did he do? Good coach, but as a manager I didn’t like certain things about how he dealt with Raheem.
Ward also criticised the ex-Reds boss for playing his client out of position, and also for moving him around the pitch numerous times within games.
Last season I thought subliminal messages were being sent to Raheem. Why would Liverpool play him at left wing back? Would you play Simon Mignolet up front? I think it was the game against Manchester United, he was played as an attacking midfielder, moved to right back, then up front, then left back, and eventually back to attacking midfielder. I was watching thinking: “Well this is interesting”.
When asked if he has any regrets regarding how the transfer saga was dealt with, Ward seemed to suggest he did, but that the ends justify the means.
Yes I do and no I don’t. Let me explain. Look at Raheem now, he’s buzzing, he’s happy and he’s at a good club, with good players, a good manager, good coaches and good staff. He’s in a good place.
Sterling is in good form for his new club, and scored his first hat-trick in senior football against Bournemouth on Saturday.
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