Jurgen Klopp could consider re-signing Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling for Liverpool.
So claims TalkSPORT pundit Trevor Sinclair. Speaking this morning, Sinclair claimed that Liverpool fans would certainly take the 27-year-old back at Anfield.
“I think they’d have him, especially with what’s going on,” he claimed. “Nunez is going there. You look at the situation with Salah, no contract agreement put in place. I think Liverpool fans would have him back because of what he’s won and the way he’s conducted himself.”
Sinclair did, however, acknowledge that the way Sterling left the club for City may prove an obstacle for this.
“Obviously not the greatest way to leave the football club,” he said. “There was a lot of animosity between the club, the clubs fans, and Raheem. So whether Raheem would go back there, he might be a little bit scarred by the way he was treated when he left.”
Sterling not forgiven at Anfield
Sterling’s situation is an interesting one. With just a year now left on his contract at City, he has been rumoured to be looking for a way out for some time.
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On the back of another pretty prolific season, he continues to operate right at the top of the game.
He scored 17 goals for City in all competitions as they won the Premier League yet again. That was Sterling’s fourth such title since leaving The Reds for £49m in 2015.
There would likely be intense division if Liverpool did decide to return for the England star. Despite Sinclair’s claims that Sterling himself might be ‘scarred’, it was he who so famously agitated to leave for a domestic rival.
In his own head, the move has probably been justified. He also gave Liverpool their fourth highest transfer fee received. But the reaction he receives whenever he steps foot back at Anfield suggest he hasn’t been forgiven in the slightest.
Footballing merits, but never going to happen
From a purely footballing move, Sterling would be a good option to replace Mane.
He can play across the forward line but is primarily comfortable cutting in from the left onto his right foot. It’s hard to believe, but Sterling is still only twenty-seven and very much in his prime.
With just a year left on his deal, he could be available at a decent price.
Regardless of the positives though, City would surely never sell to Liverpool at this moment in time. Sterling is still an integral part of their squad despite playing less in recent years.
Should he ever return to Liverpool though, the reception would be interesting to say the least.