Raheem Sterling was officially unveiled as a Manchester City player yesterday after the attacker completed a whopping A?49million move, which makes him the most expensive English player ever.
The acrimonious way in which he left the club has meant that many have forgotten how big a talent he is, and how his departure could hurt Liverpool. However, some have talked about the inability of Liverpool keeping their best players and likened his departure to Luis Suarez’s a season before.
Sterling is not on the same level as Suarez
Midfielder Lucas thinks that the youngster is not on the same level as Suarez, yet; the Reds will be able to cope without the Englishman and his loss won’t hurt Liverpool’s upcoming season like Suarez’s did.
Lucas said, a Raheem was important for us, he was a young player, but we have also lost Stevie, too, and Glen Johnson. They are big, experienced players and one very good young player.
a I think it would be unfair to put Raheem in the same bracket as Luis. He is only a young player. He is only 20 and has to develop.
a Of course he was very important for us for two seasons. But Suarez is one of the best players in the world at this moment in time.
a Raheem is probably one of the best young players so there is a gap. He decided to move on and the club felt that they got a good deal.”
Lucas also added that he’d rather focus on the players Liverpool have got and already have, than speak about the ones the club has lost, in order to avoid a repeat of last year.
Liverpool need to move on from the departures of players
a We shouldna t start the season again talking about the players that we lost. Last year I think something that distracted us was losing Luis,” said Lucas
.
a We knew it would be hard but we just need to focus on the players who arrived. We need to make sure we help them settle. I think the team just has to adapt. I have been very impressed with a lot of the new players. The club has to move on.a