This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
It was a vitriolic return for Raheem Sterling, who is now valued at £126m by Transfermarkt, to Anfield last Sunday as his Manchester City side faced the Reds in the Premier League.
Every time the 24-year-old picked up the ball, he was booed and jeered by the club’s supporters, and at times it appeared to get to him. It is not the first time he has been on the end of such a backlash from the Anfield outfit’s fans when he has faced them, and it is unlikely to be the last.
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It has been a difficult week for the England international. After the Citizens’ 3-1 defeat in that huge clash, he was dropped from the Three Lions squad for the fixture against Montenegro on Thursday following an incident with Joe Gomez.
Danny Rose, his national side teammate, has suggested that the abuse he received in Liverpool may have played a role in his frustration with the 22-year-old defender.
Ever since Sterling departed for the Etihad for an initial £44m, he has been on the receiving end of the Liverpool fans’ wrath. The winger refused to travel on the team’s pre-season tour before he made the move, hence the animosity.
However, the time is right for the fans to let it go, and the reason is, they do not need to worry themselves with such petty anger towards a former player.
As it stands, the Reds are in the best position they could possibly be. They are the current champions of Europe, whilst they also lead the Premier League by a full eight points. The match on Sunday showed the current contrast between the two sides. As the table shows, Liverpool are in a league of their own right now.
With this now looking like their best chance in the last 30 years to win the title, the Kop faithful should be concentrating on their own players and their performances rather than berating an opposition player, especially one who’s been hugely successful since leaving. Perhaps there’s an ounce of jealousy in the fact he’s won the title and they haven’t?
They can’t argue that Sterling’s move hasn’t been a success – he has won seven trophies compared to Liverpool’s two since his departure – and now the Reds are in a healthy position from their own point of view. With that in mind, it is time to let bygones be bygones and move on.
