Player Focus: Sterling Thriving at the Centre of Liverpool & England's Plans
It’s already been one of the Premier League’s most impressive images over the past few months, and is now being heralded as one of the brightest visions in England’s future. That, of course, is the sight of Raheem Sterling searing through the middle of the pitch to open up an opposition defence and kill off a game. Switzerland certainly felt the force of it. The 19-year-old was central to England’s 2-0 win in so many senses, leading to so many plaudits. Sterling has been praised as the answer to many of his country’s long-term questions, not least that over Roy Hodgson’s tactical approach. The Liverpool attacker is ready to take centre stage.
As with all such performances from such a young player - and particularly any for the English national team, given the amount of hype we’ve seen in the past - an element of caution should be applied in making proclamations. There have been many false dawns before.
The truth in this case, however, is that Sterling’s display did fit an existing trend. It is not quite a case of one impressive game leading to ludicrous over-reactions. Sterling has put in better performances against much better opposition, in that same position.
The Switzerland match was yet another for the youngster in a central attacking role, and his performances in those ranged from quietly impressive to outright excellent. He was able to influence and energise games in a genuinely captivating manner. That is all the more striking because of the context of those games.
The first came on 17 March last season, when Liverpool destroyed Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford, and also transformed their fine spring form into the springboard for a sensational title challenge. From there, Sterling played in that central attacking position in some of the biggest games of their 11-win run, not least the 3-2 victory over Manchester City.
You only had to look at Liverpool’s opening goals in that match, one of which Sterling claimed. His deployment there also coincided with Liverpool’s best display of this admittedly brief season so far, the 3-0 victory away to Tottenham Hotspur. He has only seen one slip in those seven games. That was May’s 3-3 draw away to Crystal Palace, a match which took on a distinctive pattern of its own and in which Liverpool’s attack could not be said to have failed.
None of this is to say that Sterling’s positioning was the main reason for those fine results. There also remains the possibility that the momentum Liverpool had generated at the end of last season made it all so much easier for him.
At the same time, the fact that so many of those performances came in genuinely difficult or awkward fixtures - not to mention the pick-up we’ve seen this season - indicate this was more about the individual than the collective. Sterling seems capable of making a statement in that central role, regardless of form or context or opposition.
The stats are stark, even if the evidence is still rather thin. Sterling has so far greatly enjoyed playing in the centre, far more than on the wing. Most obviously, there are the most important stats: goals and assists. Sterling has enjoyed leaps in both, jumping from 0.23 goals a game out wide to 0.67 in Premier League games he plays through the middle, and 0.13 assists per match to 0.33.
It may seem obvious Sterling is much more involved in play, but that is not always the case when such switches are made. Some natural wingers disappear when they go inside, as they are just not suited to it. Not Sterling. He adapted immediately. The youngster becomes so much more visible, taking more shots (1.3 to 2.2), more dribbles (2.6 to 4.0), more passes (26.4 to 42.3) and more key passes (1.5 to 2.2) when playing through the middle.
Much of that may also have to do with the fact he is relieved of the Liverpool wide men’s defensive duties, as his rate of tackling drops (1.4 to 0.8), while the accuracy of his passing decreases (81.7% to 80.7%). Clearly, in a more central role, Sterling is allowed try more. He is absolved of other responsibilities, and relishes it.
Sterling just seems so much more active, which is abundantly clear from his play. One of the most impressive aspects of Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur - and something that Mauricio Pochettino’s side seemed to struggle with most - was Mario Balotelli and Daniel Sturridge suddenly splitting to let Sterling burst through the centre.
It recalled some of their most dynamic play with Luis Suarez last season, and suggested a new way for Liverpool and England. Afterwards, Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers said it is something they’ve been specifically working on with Sterling.
“We've tried to develop him not only to be a wide player but to have the freedom and the awareness to play on the inside. It was perfect for him [against Spurs]: he can turn, press, work, and in a 4-3-3 he can work on the side and penetrate. It's important he has the intelligence to play these different positions.”
That is not in doubt.
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