Your morning Liverpool digest on Monday, July 18.
Raheem Sterling has finally paid the price for Liverpool exit
‘Never go back’ as the old saying goes. Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku found this out the hard way last season as their second stints with Manchester United and Chelsea respectively didn’t quite live up to expectations. Yet it appears, according to the latest reports, that Raheem Sterling did not get the memo.
The England international left Manchester City after seven years at the Etihad earlier this month, moving to Chelsea in a £47.5m transfer. Yet despite his unceremonious exit from Anfield back in 2015, the gossip columns have continued to make Liverpool part of the conversation regarding an unlikely swoop for their former winger.
It was initially suggested by the Mirror that the Reds had been interested in re-signing Sterling, only for him to opt for a move to Stamford Bridge instead. The Athletic then reported that it was the winger who was open to a Liverpool return, only for such a switch to never materialise ahead of him putting pen to paper at Chelsea.
And now Jacque Talbot has claimed, when speaking to GiveMeSport, that the 27-year-old indeed wanted to rejoin Jurgen Klopp’s side only to be rejected by the Reds.
Theo Squires has the full story, here.
Sir Alex Ferguson proved Jamie Carragher right as Liverpool find Virgil van Dijk replacement
"If he was an inch taller he'd be the best centre-half in Britain. His father is 6ft 2in – I'd check the milkman."
This was Sir Alex Ferguson ’s famous assessment of Gary Neville during the legendary Scot’s time as Manchester United manager.
With the former England international standing out 5ft 11, it would appear Jamie Carragher was right when discussing full-backs he quipped: “You're either a failed winger or a failed centre-back. No-one wants to grow up and be a Gary Neville.”
Such remarks are amusing and do contain an element of truth. After all, English football traditionally demands its centre-backs to be big, tall and strong. If you’re not 6ft tall, at least, then you’re not a centre-back.
Except United are about to break that narrative with their third signing of the summer after the Red Devils agreed a £57m deal with Ajax to reunite Lisandro Martinez with his former manager Erik ten Hag. The Argentine will be a unique prospect in the Premier League this season with the centre-back only standing at 5ft 9.
READ NEXT:
- Ridiculed Liverpool signing became unlikely hero after Steven Gerrard insult
- 'Disgraceful' challenge on Liverpool defender sparked Virgil van Dijk response and player apology
- West Ham United table £32.5m bid for Liverpool 'transfer target' Amadou Onana
- Chirivella left in tears by £200k Liverpool mistake before leaving after high
- Harry Maguire delights Manchester United fans with Liverpool response to Premier League question
