As Raheem Sterling wheeled away to celebrate in front of the Kop after his second goal in Liverpool's 5-1 rout of Arsenal last weekend, it would have been easy to forget that just three months ago he was being written off by fans and pundits alike.
| Sterling v Januzaj v Barkley - 13/14 |
|
|
|
| Discipline |
Sterling |
Januzaj |
Barkley |
| Minutes played |
1410 |
1096 |
1628 |
| Goals |
5 |
3 |
3 |
| Assists |
2 |
2 |
0 |
| Big chances created |
5 |
3 |
1 |
| Passing accuracy |
80.92% |
80.15% |
85.06% |
| Dribbles completed |
55 |
33 |
58 |
| Recoveries |
99 |
59 |
74 |
|
Indeed, Sterling more than matches his fellow starlets. He has not only scored more but outperformed in his primary mandate of creating opportunities, leading the way with the number of 'big chances' he has laid on. It is when working back though that the former QPR trainee stands out most, with his 99 recoveries significantly more than either Januzaj or Barkley and something that his team-mates are quick to recognise.
"Defensively he works really hard for the team and going the other way he's fantastic," said Jordan Henderson after the Arsenal match. "Scoring goals is important for any forward player and he's adding that to his game, which is brilliant."
Given the emphasis Jose Mourinho places on hard working wingers he's in good company.
It is unclear then why it has taken so long for Sterling to receive attention comparable to either Barkley or Januzaj. It isn't that they are that much younger. Sterling is just four months older than the Manchester United man and Barkley is actually a year older than the Anfield favourite.
Perhaps then it is that both have only come to the fore this season, whereas Sterling has already had a year in the limelight? Whatever the reason it is unlikely to concern the Reds no.31 as long as he can maintain his current form.
His confidence is back. A switch to the right wing was also credited with helping to bring out the best in him by Rodgers. Certainly the diagonal runs from out to in have become a feature of his game and with the likes of Suarez, Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho to pick him out it is something Liverpool have been able to use to great effect.
Fifty-five completed dribbles are further evidence of his renewed self-belief, as is the way in which Sterling has backed himself to get the better of his man. Gone is the Sterling of late last season, whose fear of the repercussions of losing the ball saw him retreat into his shell. In his place is a young man using a mixture of speed, trickery and deceptive strength to leave Premier League defenders wondering how to stop him.
The thing that makes Sterling stand out is not just that he has the tools to hurt the opposition but that he knows how and when to use them, both on and off the ball.
"He's one of the most tactically gifted players I have worked with; how he presses the ball, how he gets up to the ball and his technique is wonderful," enthused Rodgers before Liverpool's trip to Fulham.
"He's more than pace. What he has got for a young player is responsibility on the pitch."
Still nearly 10 months shy of his twentieth birthday it would be foolish to expect that Sterling will now go from strength to strength without any further problems or dips in form.
However, much like Wojciech Szczesny's save from Sterling's shot ahead of his second goal last Saturday, it would merely be delaying the inevitable.
Having overcome his first real test and proven his doubters wrong, Raheem Sterling now looks destined for stardom - Liverpool and England fans just need to remain patient.
