Liverpool: £63m star wanted shock return to Anfield this summer and the club was his first option, but Jurgen Klopp’s side ruled out a possible return.
Journalist Jacque Talbot claims that Liverpool might have signed Raheem Sterling earlier this summer.
The winger, who cost £63 million, just left Manchester City after seven years and joined Chelsea, despite Talbot’s belief that the England international preferred to return to Anfield.
What is the most recent Sterling-related news?
Sterling began his professional career at Liverpool, where he made over 100 appearances until City, who spent £49 million for his services in 2015, became aware of his immense potential.
The 27-year-old spent the following seven seasons at the Etihad Stadium, where he amassed a bevy of major awards and netted more than 100 goals for the league’s defending champions.
Sterling took home a total of four Premier League championships, five Carabao Cups, and the FA Cup in 2019—the latter of which saw him score twice in extra time.
He departed City with a total of 131 goals and 94 assists, but his lack of playing time the previous season finally led to his decision to move on, especially as his contract only had 12 months left to run.
Sterling eventually signed with Chelsea, who paid City just £1 million more than they had originally paid for him, but Talbot believes that going back to Merseyside was Sterling’s first option.
Talbot on Sterling
“We learned from trustworthy sources that Sterling wanted to transfer to Liverpool before choosing Chelsea.
I don’t believe Manchester United were a factor, but from what I’ve heard, Liverpool essentially turned him down.
Liverpool may have been able to sign Sterling.
Sterling is undoubtedly talented enough to play for Jurgen Klopp’s team, but a return to Anfield would have come as a huge surprise.
With Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Harvey Elliott, and summer acquisition Darwin Nunez at their disposal, Liverpool is not only well-stocked up front, but Sterling is also not particularly well-liked by the Reds supporters.
The Three Lions player has received boos every time he has played at Anfield since moving to City, where he received a huge pay raise. It is obvious that Liverpool supporters are still angry with the manner he left them.
Therefore, even if Sterling may have been excited about the transfer, it’s quite doubtful that Liverpool would have shared same feelings.
