Raheem Sterling has been told in no uncertain terms by Enzo Maresca that his future lies away from Chelsea. It remains to be seen what comes next for the 29-year-old, but it seems clear he would be open to a Liverpool return , even if the Anfield hierarchy will likely feel differently.
You do have to feel a bit sorry for Sterling. Okay, maybe you don't have to — Jamie Carragher simply told his old Liverpool teammate to "play better" after he had released a statement about his exclusion from the Premier League squad — but there is a lot which has been out of the winger's control.
Despite being a Todd Boehly signing, Sterling no longer fits the young, low-wage profile that Chelsea is religiously targeting. As much as anything he did on the pitch, that put him on the chopping board this summer after 10 signings and counting at Stamford Bridge.
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That's not to say he has shone since joining from Manchester City . He would have been harder to exile to Chelsea's squad of "15-20" outcasts (Maresca's numbers) if he had performed better over the past two seasons.
But Sterling, who judging by his statement was taken by surprise at his new place in the pecking order, has not been given long to resolve his future. He played an active part in preseason, but now finds himself in no-man's land, at a time when he has spoken publicly about his desperation to get back into the England frame.
On the plus side, suitors surely won't have to pay very much. By leaving itself with far more senior players than squad places, Chelsea has effectively invited clubs to come in and pay whatever they like for any of the unwanted group as the transfer window nears its final week.
And if Sterling is so keen to revive his England future, he won't be too worried about wages either. If he's willing to take a sizeable cut, and the transfer fee is negligible, you'd think he would have his share of admirers.
His time at the very top of the game is almost certainly over — in fact, that was probably true when he left Manchester City. But based on 2020 comments, Sterling would jump at the chance to make a sensational Liverpool return.
"Would I ever go back to Liverpool? To be honest with you I love Liverpool," Sterling admitted , while still at the Etihad.
"Don’t get it twisted, they are always in my heart. It’s a team that has done a lot for me growing up so…"
At the time, Manchester City was in the process of appealing a two-season ban from the Champions League . It ultimately escaped punishment, and when it was ready to move Sterling on during the following summer, Chelsea was the club to step forward.
A move to Liverpool now looks even less likely than it did then. But despite all the hostility he has received, Sterling has made it clear that he remains fond of the Reds — and there's little doubt that he'd give a lot to be thrown an Anfield lifeline now.
Liverpool.com says: We'll at least consider the idea for a second. Sterling would count as club home-grown, he would offer a wealth of experience, and he's played over 170 games on a right flank where Liverpool currently lacks much cover for Mohamed Salah .
It's also been suggested that Arne Slot might like a little bit of extra attacking depth. And as we've mentioned, the operation probably wouldn't be too expensive.
But that's enough of that. Clearly, Sterling is no longer at the level to play for Liverpool, and it wouldn't even be fair to him to ask him to win over an initially-hostile fan base while playing a squad role. The entire endeavor would be doomed from the outset.
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