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When Brendan Rodgers Tore Raheem Sterling To Shreds In Liverpool Training For Answering Back

When Brendan Rodgers Tore Raheem Sterling To Shreds In Liverpool Training For Answering Back

It was awkward. Very awkward.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Back in 2012, just months before Raheem Sterling's breakthrough season at Liverpool, an incident involving the young winger and his new manager certainly got things fired up between the pair.

At the end of a pre-season training session in the United States, Brendan Rodgers gave the now-Manchester City star a dressing down after Sterling appeared to answer back when his manager told him to "stay on your feet" and "use your brain".

Rodgers thought Sterling had said "steady" in response to his on-field instructions - something that he strongly disagreed with.

As you can see in the footage below, the former Liverpool boss starts by saying: "This is for the young players and I need you to pay attention" before ripping into a confused Sterling. [The YouTube video still works]


Rodgers continues, saying: "Your attitude needs to improve in your work, OK? You (Sterling) say 'steady' to me again when I say something to you and you'll be on the first plane back."

Sterling strongly denies saying the word before Rodgers quickly snaps back, saying: "You know what you said, I know what you said."

The situation escalates further when the manager continues to make his point, although a former Liverpool academy player has recently opened up about what really happened during that infamous clash.

Image: eir SPORT
Image: eir SPORT

Ryan McLaughlin was part of that pre-season training session in the United States, and has explained the story behind the incident.

"That was Brendan stamping his authority. He didn't want any young players getting too big for their boots," he told The Athletic.

"He didn't want us having fancy cars or designer washbags. He would always tell us: 'Just because you're training with Liverpool, it doesn't mean you play for Liverpool'.

"Raheem was already a big name and everyone knew he was destined for great things. Brendan thought Raheem answered him back and didn't want to be seen as a pushover.

"I don't think he needed to do that to get our respect as he had it already.

Image: eir SPORT
Image: eir SPORT

"It maybe gave some people the wrong impression about Raheem because he's such a nice fella, so down to earth.

"Raheem was adamant he had said 'he stepped on my toe' after feeling like he should have had a free-kick, but Brendan heard it as him saying 'steady'.

"If you got the better of a senior player in those sessions they would look to put you in your place.

"Raheem used to get kicked a lot because he was so quick. It was only when training stopped that day that we realised there was an issue."

Image: eis SPORT
Image: eis SPORT

So it appears Rodgers got it wrong after all. Thoughts on the clip?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: eir Sport

Topics: Liverpool, Football, Premier League, Brendan Rodgers, Raheem Sterling