Friday, 17th October, 2014
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that the recent controversy surrounding Raheem Sterling has been ‘grossly’ unfair on the young player.
The 19-year-old asked Roy Hodgson not to start him for England against Estonia on Sunday as he felt tired. He came on as a second half substitute as the Three Lions beat the Estonians 1-0 in their Euro 2016 qualifier.
The player has been criticised for putting the interests of Liverpool ahead of England, along with complaining of being tired just two months into a new season, and Rodgers is angry at the way his player has been vilified.
The Northern Irishman said that he feels privileged that he has the opportunity to work with a young talent such as Sterling day-in-day-out and said that he has no complaints against the 19-year-old.
“I have been very fortunate to work with a brilliant young player over the last two years”, the Liverpool manager said in a press conference.
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“I came into Liverpool and he was a young player with the reserves. I took him at 17 on a pre-season trip and up to that stage he has been absolutely incredible for me.”
Rodgers feels that Sterling should be lauded for his maturity and honesty. He believes that he had a responsibility towards England therefore he made his views clear.
He added that the criticism against Sterling has been grossly unfair on the 19-year-old winger.
“What is been great to see is his maturity.
“This is a kid who we bring up to be responsible and to be honest. Lots of players will tell you they have played when they haven’t felt right. He didn’t say that.
“What has been disappointing is that it has been grossly unfair to put him into the back pages over something he didn’t say.”
Sterling made his debut for England in November 2012 against Sweden and has until now earned ten international caps for the Three Lions.
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