Will obstinate Rodgers cost Liverpool yet another key player?

Just when it seemed like Steven Gerrard’s impending exit from the only club he’s ever played for was all Liverpool fans had to discuss for the rest of the season, Brendan Rodgers has handed them a fresh crisis over an even more important player.

Already in the doghouse with Kopites over his failure to extend the contract of the club’s legendary skipper, causing the iconic midfielder to flee to a Galaxy as far away as LA, the Reds’ boss looks to be digging his heels in over Raheem Sterling’s new deal.

Clearly not learning the important management lesson; “if you don’t keep your best players happy they will leave”, Rodgers is reportedly unhappy that Sterling is stalling on signing what the Northern Irishman believes is an “incredible” offer.

However, the forward’s agent is angling for more money than the supposed £100k-per-week currently being offered, with £120k thought to be a more acceptable figure.

That could be seen as a greedy move from a player who is yet to reach the legal drinking age in the USA, but consider Sterling’s contribution to Liverpool’s season, and the wages other players at the club are on and it no longer feels like such a ridiculous request.

Gerrard is obviously the highest earner at Anfield, on around £150k-per-week, while more bit-part players like Glen Johnson collect £110k every seven days.

As the club’s joint top scorer, Sterling can certainly claim to be one of few shining lights for the 11/2 top-four hopes this season.

Add the fact that he’s been asked to lead the line, unfamiliarly, in the wake of Daniel Sturridge’s injury and the rest’s incompetence and the request to get paid suddenly becomes a very reasonable one.

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