According to former striker and club legend John Aldridge, Liverpool should cash in on midfielder Raheem Sterling as soon as possible, with Manchester City the only team currently to come through with a bid.
Speaking on his Kicca account, Aldridge said that it was best for both the club and the player that we let Sterling go whenever the next bid comes along.
“Brendan Rodgers should let Raheem Sterling leave for Manchester City now,” said Aldridge. The sooner he leaves the better for all involved. All this transfer talk is making a mockery of Liverpool Football Club.”
A third bid is expected to come from City, with Sterling’s agent Aidy Ward stating that the player wouldn’t sign a further contract with Liverpool “even for £900,000 a week” earlier this summer.
And on this subject, Aldridge said more: “Sterling is obviously too young to think for himself so his agent has been doing his thinking for him. For the sake of Liverpool Football Club they should take the millions on offer and then everybody will be better off.”
A factor in Liverpool’s favour is the fact that Manchester City are in need of English talent to abide with the home-grown rule, and a larger bid is expected in the coming weeks to satisfy Liverpool’s demand of £50million for the player.
And on the subject of money, Aldridge wrote: “Raheem will be a bit richer and Liverpool will be rid of a player who doesn’t want to play for the club. It’s a win-win. Manchester City are a big club and Raheem will get paid well and play Champions League football so he will be happy.”
Clearly not impressed with the way the Sterling camp have gone about their business, Aldridge thinks life after the winger will go on, whilst encouraging the club to look internally for his replacement.
“Raheem is obviously a hugely talented player but Liverpool have a top replacement in Jordon Ibe. I’ve been watching Jordon play since he was 15. He’s a terrific player and has bags of potential,” Aldridge continued. “In fact I think he’s got as much, if not more potential than Raheem and will go on to be a better player. On top of that, he’s a big strong lad who is very direct with a great shot on him.”
And as a parting message to the fans of the club, the Liverpool legend suggested that they shouldn’t be worried:
“And life at Anfield will go on without him, because he’s certainly not bigger than the club.”
