Arsenal came to Anfield boasting the likes of German star Mesut Ozil, Spanish magician Santi Cazorla, and the always-quick Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. It was meant to be a tough battle for both teams, a 90-minute contest that would last til the end when Arsenal got to Anfield for the starting whistle.
Arsenal may have gotten to Anfield physically, but mentally they were still on the team bus. The battle? It lasted all of one minute. Martin Skrtel scored off a set-piece in the first minute of play, followed that effort up with another header nine minutes later, and 20 minutes in the game, the score was 4-0 for Liverpool. Arsenal’s stars were invisible (heck, I did not realize Santi Cazorla was playing until the second half). Many players for Liverpool were impressive, however the emergence of a young talent will have the Kop buzzing.
Raheem Sterling, take a bow. You were absolutely fantastic. The fearless youngster was a clear threat against the usually strong Arsenal defence. He ran into pockets of space, made great plays, and was a nuisance for the opponents. Sterling is an individual who has been criticised for his lack of finish, and while still wasting a couple of chances, he bagged a couple of nice finishes. But the delight with young Sterling does not just end there.
Coming into this season, Sterling was a player out of the Liverpool Starting XI. This was mostly due to a fade in form towards the end of last season. During his resurgance as a first team player last year, not much was expected of him. Critics were usually pleased when he was able to run past a player and make an occaisonal good pass. Expectations were not too high for the 18-year-old (as they should be). This season, the entire squad had higher expectations, and chances were low that the now 19-year old would get a regular place in the team (especially with the addition of Europa League hero Victor Moses). Credit to Sterling, he forced his way into the Starting XI through performances where he did not just show he is one for the future, but that his time is now. He has maintained a place in the starting line-up for upward of a month and has kept the likes of Moses, Iago Aspas, and Luis Alberto on the bench. Sterling has not just played, he has stood-out as a clear offensive threat for Liverpool. He has won at least two penalties for his team due to his penetrating runs, he regularly gets the fullback covering him cautioned, and just consistently proves he belongs in the lineup.
Sterling was my performer of the game on Saturday. The emerging star is turning into a top player and it will be hard for Roy Hodgson to not pick him for Brazil this summer (don’t get me started, and no, Ashley Young is awful, and no, England does not have many talented wingers, and no, Januzaj is not English, Aaron Lennon? Lennon?! No.)
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