The Merseyside club are slowly, but steadily, concreting their team with the recruitment of KoloToure from Manchester City, Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas and Sevilla’s Luis Alberto.
But then the big question arises as to what will be on the fate of Raheem Sterling at his second year at Anfield? Will he remain one season wonder, or this time around will astonish his critics by his performance?
After appearing last season for the Reds, Sterling surprised everybody and soon became the pin-up boy of Liverpool. Only 17 years old back then, he became a first team regular and before getting a 5-year old deal with Liverpool, his performance stunned all the game lovers. He got capped for the England National team only at the age of 17. However, the golden days ended briefly for the youngster as he missed the major part of the season with an injury and lost his place to Stewart Downing.
Moving into the next season, Sterling’s chances have further been hampered with the arrival of new recruits Aspas and Alberto who along with the likes of Stewart Downing, Coutinho and Ibe will provide fierce competion. So will he get back his first team place? Let’s look at some stats comparing Sterling and Aspas here.
Iago Aspas scored 12 times in 34 appearances last season for Spanish side Celta de Vigo, while Sterling only netted twice in the 24 appearances he made. But they both are inseparable in terms of 57% average shot accuracy.
With 84% average pass accuracy, Sterling is in a better position than Aspas who has the bragging right of 77%. Sterling is also ahead of Aspas when it comes to average duels won and average pass length. Sterling’s stats show that he has won 55% duels and has a 15m pass length, whereas Aspas is lagging with 48% and 14m respectively.
Considering only the stats, we can very well say that its not an impossible task for Sterling to get opportunities in the first team, but has to work hord whenever he is called upon and make sure to cement his place there, else his critics are waiting to call him a ‘one-season-wonder’.
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