Rio Ferdinand this week described the reported prices for English players as a ‘joke’.  Young lions Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling have been quoted at around the £40m - £50m mark, according to reports in the national press.  Over the years, we have seen a top premium on young English players (£30m for Luke Shaw anyone?) and it is hard to argue Sterling is right now a £50m player.

Sterling himself has been the target of abuse since his infamous interview with the BBC back in April.  A poorly planned interview no doubt, in which Sterling declared he was not ‘a money grabbing 20 year old’.

His performances toward the end of the season, particularly in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Aston Villa, did not do much to put himself in such a price bracket.  This is a man who has scored 18 goals in 91 Liverpool appearances – not exactly prolific.

So, £50m for Sterling is silly money right?  Why wouldn’t Liverpool take it?  Well, shedding too much light on the matter can burn your eyes.

In the thrilling 2013/2014 season, Sterling established himself as one of the most exciting attackers in the world.  Holding his own in a team containing Luiz Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, Sterling went on to win the prestigious European Golden Boy award.

Sterling’s versatility across the front line captivated audiences, especially the imagination of ice cool Italian icon Andrea Pirlo.  ‘Sterling was the only English player to cause me problems, very talented.’  Rodgers, too, would go on to wax lyrical about the young attacker’s abilities “the great thing with watching him now is that he gets you off your seat. When he gets the ball you think ’something could happen here.’

It has not been long since Sterling was heralded as England’s best player.  At the tip of the diamond, Sterling tormented the Lithuanian defence in September.  Sure, harder challenges will come – but it is important to remember he is just 20 years old.

This is not a flimsy winger in the mould of Aaron Lennon and co.  Sterling has been described as one of the ‘most tactically aware players I have worked with’ by his club manager.

Sterling is not yet a £50m player.  However, should Liverpool sell – what does it say about the club’s ambition?  Sterling’s potential is astounding, he should be the man Liverpool build their ethos around.  A club with such an affinity for iconic players need an attacker like this.

That is not to compare Sterling to Dalglish and co, but with the departure of Carragher, Gerrard and Suarez in relative succession, do Liverpool have much choice?

Sterling is a double edged sword.  Though the sight of him terrorising defences in the same way he did in 2013/2014 over at the Etihad Stadium may hurt Liverpool more than giving into his reported wage demands.

In a perfect world, Sterling and his advisors would have approached the matter of a new contract with more class.  But this is not the world we live in, player power is everything.  Sterling is not the first contract rebel and he certainly won’t be the last.  It is important to remember his ability.

The Kop demand success, Sterling is just the player to give it to them.

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