Scouting For Liverpool – Three Potential Replacements For Raheem Sterling Including Arsenal Speedster

Its the talk of the town and predators creep up in the woods waiting to pounce as Liverpool fight to keep a hold of their youngster Raheem Sterling after a dramatic unfolding of events in the past few months. The 20-year-old reportedly turned down a tidy £100k-a-week deal, which would extend his stay with the Reds past 2017, before turning to the BBC for an interview without the authorization of his club in an ill-fated attempt to denounce his ‘money-grabbing’ label.

After two damaging Premier League defeats to Manchester United and Arsenal in recent weeks, followed by the semi-final exit in the FA Cup against a spirited Aston Villa side; the Reds’ Champions League qualification hopes are in tatters in addition to their 3rd season without any silverware. Sterling’s contract breakdown has caught the eyes of many admirers across Europe with the youngster being linked with European superpowers across the continent, including Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. With the big names and big money calling in the summer, Sterling could very well force a move if Liverpool do expectedly fall short of a top four place.

Reports that Sterling might be off from Liverpool with prices soaring to nearly £50 million and while that would be big bucks for Liverpool; they would lose out on a talent that has been described as a future superstar in the world of football.

Nothing is irreplaceable in football and the club is bigger than any individual so if Sterling does leave Anfield this summer, who could Brendan Rodgers bring into fill the void left behind by the crown jewel of the Liverpool Academy in the past few years? Here is a look at Three Possible Reinforcements Liverpool have been linked with which could soften the blow of losing Europe’s ‘Best Young Player’.

Luciano Vietto (Villareal)

At 21-years-old, Argentine attacker Luciano Vietto is one of the most coveted names in world football already after a standout season with Villarreal in La Liga. The Argentine forward has bagged 18 goals in all competitions, particularly starring in the Europa League underlining his pedigree in European competition. The Reds are reportedly leading the race for his signature after having been linked with him consistently for a few months now, although Real Madrid and Inter Milan are also monitoring his development.

While not exactly a like-for-like replacement for young Raheem Sterling; Vietto is a far more clinical prospect than the young Englishman for the Reds. His ability to play across the front 3 with ease is something Brendan Rodgers would be particularly excited about.

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Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Arsenal are soaring at the moment on form and results, but one player who appears to have been left behind the pack is Theo Walcott. After a knee injury that kept him out for the best part of a year foiling his World Cup plans and hindering his progression at Arsenal; the England winger has struggled to forge a way back into Arsene Wenger’s first-team, sitting way down a star-studded pecking order which includes the likes of summer acquisitions – Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

The lack of regular playing time would be huge concern for Walcott as would be the lure of playing in the Champions League. While Liverpool do not stand likely to make the cut for the top-four Walcott’s move to Anfield seems unlikely. Having said that its a known fact that the 26 year old flying winger is a Liverpool fan and with Sterling linked with a move to the Emirates, could a potential swap deal be on the cards?

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Jordan Ibe (Liverpool)

Liverpool might look closer to home than afar to find a replacement for Sterling, as the meteoric rise of teenager Jordan Ibe in the last few months might suggest that the winger could become even better than his compatriot. Brendan Rodgers recalled the 19-year-old from a loan spell at Derby County to throw him straight into the Merseyside derby at right wing-back; a game he stood out against the likes of Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas winning the Man of the Match. Ibe cemented his place with brilliant displays against Tottenham and Southampton and if only for a knee injury picked up in March against Besiktas, the youngster would have almost certainly nailed down a spot in Rodgers’ starting XI by now.

Barring the same attributes as Sterling with added physical presence and better shooting prowess; Ibe has been touted by many to go further than Sterling. Liverpool fans once hoped for Sterling and Ibe combining down either wing; but if Sterling does leave this summer they can be rest assured that they’ve got a replacement that could potentially outgrow his predecessor among their ranks.