Raheem Sterling had an uptick in form in a crucial stage of the season, and it bodes well for Liverpool in their late charge on the summit of the Premier League. His performances have been outstanding of late, and going forward, he will undoubtedly be a great asset for the current Liverpool side playing some scintillating football.
Sterling seemed to have lost some form and zest that made him such an exciting prospect to watch in his breakout season last season. He looked as if he was overawed by the continued exposure, and had lost his place in the side. Many were suggesting that he be loaned out in order to get him some much needed experience before his is ready to warrant a place in the side once again.
Even Sterling himself admitted to losing confidence in himself, stating that he was overawed by the presence of big names like Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge around him in the final third, and that, although subconsciously, affected his game.
“Last season, I’d have beaten a man in two touches and raced away. Suddenly, I was going safe, passing to someone else. I didn’t realize I was doing it.
“I wasn’t confident enough to have a shot myself and instead I’d pass it to someone like Luis Suarez. I needed to be more confident again – you have to respect the senior players around you but you have to stamp your own mark on the game.”
However, such a thing happens to every single young player; but he is now very focused on his football and willing to take his mistakes in his stride. He has sorted out the problems, with some help from his uncle, and that has indeed shown in his recent performances.
“He knows my game and he asked the club for a couple of DVDs from last season when I’d played well. He wanted to show me the difference.
“I just said to myself that I had to step up and start running at defenders again; taking responsibility. I’ve also had the chance to do that week in, week out. I can feel a bit of momentum now.”
The decision to run at defenders once again has suddenly made him that much more dangerous and difficult to contend with. He always had the pace to take on the quickest of defenders, and now, he has combined that with better decision making and that is what resulted in the much improved and consistent performance levels.
He now consistently makes the runs into the box, takes up dangerous positions in and around the box, and isn’t afraid to take a shot on even if a more senior player is demanding the ball. His work ethic is outstanding, and he’s always willing to press as well as track back and help out his defenders. He still needs work on his finishing, having missed quite a few scoring opportunities this season when he was 1-on-1 with the opposition keeper, but that isn’t anything that some work on the training ground won’t solve.
A lot of people were moping about the failure to secure the signing of £15 million rated Ukrainian winger Yevhen Konoplyanka from Dnipro in January. It would undoubtedly have been a good signing for the team in their push for a spot in the top 4 this season, but the move would have reduced Sterling’s playing opportunities. Given the form that he is currently, one would think that it would certainly have been a bad more for the youngster.
He received perhaps the best compliment possible for his manager after the Arsenal game, when Brendan Rodgers suggested that he is best player in his position across the Premier League.
“Raheem Sterling was incredible. He’s just turned 19 years of age and I don’t think there’s a better winger in England at this moment in time. He was absolutely phenomenal.”
While making such a statement would be premature to say the least, the youngster has the potential to be the best in the Premier League, and if his current performances are any indication, he is well on the right path.