As many of you already know, Raheem Sterling was caught on camera this week smoking out of a hookah and taking whippets. In one of the pictures, Jordan Ibe was also seen in horrible pants joining in on the party. Which brings us to the major issue here. Not the fact that these professional athletes are smoking when they should be protecting their lungs. Not about the dangers of whippets and how they fry your brain. The main issue here is why do celebrities and athletes need to be reminded that not only should you be careful about what you do/say, but you also should not have people recording pictures and/or video when you’re doing stupid things that could jeopardize your career. The best part is that these videos come no less than 2 weeks after Sterling said he is only concentrating on Football, even though everyone knows that he’s in the middle of an intense contract negotiation. Arsenal have now said that they are reconsidering their move for Sterling (there was a Sterling for Walcott + money deal possibly in the works) so this is just horrible timing for the young Englishman. Hopefully now Sterling will commit his future to Liverpool as he may not receive as much leniency if this were to happen at Bayern or Real. If he was there, you better believe that he’d be riding the bench for a few games (not really sure if he’d be able to get on the field in the first place). In another interview earlier this week, he said that he wants the Kop to make a song for him a la Suarez and Coutinho. Well, you asked for it Raheem. Enjoy.
Hmmm. Maybe Sterling was high during last week’s game. He could be heard saying, “Good game man” and slapping imaginary hands for a few minutes after the final whistle.
Nervy vs. Newcastle:
It was another fortunate win for the Reds vs. Newcastle. They not only missed a ton of chances, but were also given a favorable decision in the first half when it looked like Newcastle should have definitely been awarded a PK. We’ve had to bring Lovren and Johnson into our starting defense since Skrtel is still suspended and Sakho is out with a hamstring injury (and Kolo Toure sucks) but we somehow kept a clean sheet (mostly due to Mignolet playing on fire once again). Sterling slotted home a great strike late in the first half, but he blew 2 more chances later in the game that could have put this one away a lot earlier. Coutinho was on fire this game, and if you don’t believe me check out this 5 minute video that is filled with the skills that show why he is being considered the new Suarez. Cheers to the Reds fans (the best around) who gave Jonas Gutierrez a standing ovation after being brought on in the second half (for those who don’t know, Gutierrez is back in the Newcastle side after surviving a bout with testicular cancer). This was a much needed W as it brings the Reds back within striking distance of Man City and the final Champions League spot. It’s a reversal from last year where City was chasing the Reds for the league title, so hopefully now we can return the favor and knock them out of the fourth spot. There can be no more slip-ups if we’re going to make that happen, so let’s keep the foot on the gas and the ball on the ground in these final games.
FA Cup Semis:
Liverpool get a break from the EPL this weekend, but it’s only due to their semi-final FA Cup match against Aston Villa on Sunday. Villa sits in 15th place, but they were able to pull off a 1-0 win against Tottenham just last week so this game is no cakewalk. Hopefully the Reds can keep the momentum moving forward as they look to book their place in the FA Cup final (most likely vs. Arsenal). This one is Sunday at 10:00 a.m. EST so get your typical English breakfast ready (and then throw it out because those are gross) and then make waffles because this one is going to be…something (I’m a bit nervous about this one so don’t want to jinx it with too much excitement). Go Reds.
Around the Interwebs:
- Liverpool’s new home kit. A bit bland if you ask me.
- Now United may sign Danny Ings? Didn’t see this coming.
- More Reds transfer rumors. This time Juan Iturbe and Andre Ayew are in the mix.
- Sampdoria wants Balo? How much do we have to pay them?
- Would Liverpool really be the winners in a Sterling for Walcott swap?