Former Liverpool midfielder Steve McMahon firmly believes the club are better off without the “disgraceful” actions of Raheem Sterling.
Sterling, 20, refused to be a part of the squad for the Reds’ pre-season tour and missed two training sessions citing illness as the reason.
His camp, namely Aidy Ward, claimed that his relationship with Brendan Rodgers was broken –which Rodgers strongly denied.
McMahon, who spent six years at Anfield between 1985 and 1991, believes Sterling didn’t show respect. The former Red told the Liverpool Echo:
“As soon as Raheem said he wanted to leave there was no coming back.
“He has disrespected everything about Liverpool – all the core values at Liverpool that players are brought up on.
“It’s a wonderful place to be. There’s a way of doing things. Okay, things happen when agents get involved, but you’ve got to show respect to people and Raheem didn’t do that.”
During his time at Liverpool McMahon helped the Reds win three league titles and captained the side when they last won the league 25 years ago.
The former Manchester City player has labelled the way Sterling left as a disgrace:
“You have to respect your peers and the staff at Liverpool Football Club.
“Lots of players move on gracefully but he’s moved disgracefully in my opinion.”
Despite the departure of Sterling, the Englishman capped 17 times by England between 1988 and 1990, still thinks Liverpool can achieve Champions League football with the help of Christian Benteke:
“I like Benteke and he needs to score 20 goals plus.
“If Daniel Sturridge can get 20 plus when he’s fit and the midfielders chip in they’ll be in good shape.
“If you are looking to get in the Champions League you need to score 80 to 90 goals. If you have two strikers getting 50 between them then you are over halfway there. The top four is there for Liverpool this season.”
The Belgium international’s arrival is set to be announced later today.
