He 'leaked' the contract negotiations in a press conference then commented implying Raheem was being greedy. Tried to bounce the lad into signing a new contract. This was January before he signed for us. He then did nothing to protect Raheem from the press vindictiveness that followed.In what way mate? As far as I can recall it was the dippers 'old boys' that created the shitstorm, what did Brentan say against him?
He 'leaked' the contract negotiations in a press conference then commented implying Raheem was being greedy. Tried to bounce the lad into signing a new contract. This was January before he signed for us. He then did nothing to protect Raheem from the press vindictiveness that followed.
Brendan had little choice about using Sterking. A bit like LGV and Rashford. Hardly an Einstein decision but one driven by circumstance. Mid-table clubs are always in a better position to blood youngsters anyway. Brendan hung him out to dry over the transfer period. The man is a smarmy git.He said that Sterling had been offered a very very generous contract and rejected it.
We all now know that's because he had simply decided to leave Liverpool, but Rodgers and Liverpool made it appear to be about money.
When Sterling did a BBC interview to clear his name, Liverpool's media machine managed to make the story "spoiled brat does unauthorised interview" instead of - "club misleads media and fans to exert public pressure on 19 year old to force him into contract."
I don't know what their relationship is, or what went on behind closed doors but if Sterling and Rodgers really do have a good relationship then it's testament to how forgiving the kid is because Rodgers drove his name through the dirt.
Having said that though he did play a major part in his development and the reason he is with us today is because Rodgers had the balls to throw a 17 year old into the first team.
And while it was mocked a lot at the time, Sterlings incredible tactical awareness is quite likely thanks to Brenda moving him all over the pitch and making him learn different positions. For a 21 year old forward his defensive reading of the game is brilliant - he's always one of the first back to defend and he wins the ball back in the opposition half more than any other player in the league.
That is what I thought too, but maybe it came from Liverpool execs and not Rodgers. Rodgers does come across as being pretty genuine about this. He shold have kept the contract discussions between Sterling and LFC in-house but maybe he was naive rather than maliciousHe said that Sterling had been offered a very very generous contract and rejected it.
We all now know that's because he had simply decided to leave Liverpool, but Rodgers and Liverpool made it appear to be about money.
When Sterling did a BBC interview to clear his name, Liverpool's media machine managed to make the story "spoiled brat does unauthorised interview" instead of - "club misleads media and fans to exert public pressure on 19 year old to force him into contract."
I don't know what their relationship is, or what went on behind closed doors but if Sterling and Rodgers really do have a good relationship then it's testament to how forgiving the kid is because Rodgers drove his name through the dirt.
Having said that though he did play a major part in his development and the reason he is with us today is because Rodgers had the balls to throw a 17 year old into the first team.
And while it was mocked a lot at the time, Sterlings incredible tactical awareness is quite likely thanks to Brenda moving him all over the pitch and making him learn different positions. For a 21 year old forward his defensive reading of the game is brilliant - he's always one of the first back to defend and he wins the ball back in the opposition half more than any other player in the league.
Can you think of another occasion in his managerial career where he chose to discuss (naively or otherwise) the contract negotiations of a player in a press conference?That is what I thought too, but maybe it came from Liverpool execs and not Rodgers. Rodgers does come across as being pretty genuine about this. He shold have kept the contract discussions between Sterling and LFC in-house but maybe he was naive rather than malicious
He was caught up in the whole dipper entitled grief monkey culture. Probably embarrassed about it now. Pure joy to see raheem visibly growing in confidence each week and what his been through will make him stronger. Hope he nutmegs milner to score the winner at klanfield in the league.Can you think of another occasion in his managerial career where he chose to discuss (naively or otherwise) the contract negotiations of a player in a press conference?