The Angriest Twitter Reactions to Raheem Sterling's Controversial BBC Interview

In the wake of a controversial interview with the BBC, Raheem Sterling has been handed a crash course on how to alienate a large portion of a fanbase.

Just days before one of Liverpool's biggest games of the season, the 20-year-old winger told the BBC that he had turned down a £100,000-a-week contract offer. "It's not about the money at all," he said before insisting that the rejection of a remuneration package that would triple his current £35,000-a-week deal was more about winning trophies. 

Understandably, the interview has not sat well with Liverpool fans, a great deal of whom are very unhappy with the England star. Many believe he is not worth the money he aspires to earn:

"

Sterling hasn't proven to be earned £20k a week yet alone £100k. Ibe will be twice the player Sterling has ever been #LFC

— James Milburn (@JAJMilburn) April 1, 2015"

Plenty of fans also took umbrage at Sterling's claim that he does not "want to be perceived as a money-grabbing 20-year-old":

"

Raheem Sterling has confirmed he rejected £100k-a-week deal at #LFC but says he's not a "money-grabbing 20-year-old" pic.twitter.com/CRZaqqpEqq

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) April 1, 2015"

"

Raheem Sterling insists he is not a money grabbing 20 year old. "I'm worse than that" he tells anyone that will listen.

— chalkontheboots (@chalkontheboots) April 2, 2015"

Not so long ago, Sterling was talked about as Real Madrid's next target. Now, it seems that fans are taking the opportunity to pooh-pooh his abilities. A large amount of the anti-Sterling tweets currently circulating use colourful language, so here is a selection we can highlight on a family website:

"

Sterling is a bad egg. Slap him on the list to the highest bidder. 6 goals this season, he's been average at best. Massively overrated #LFC

— Jason Rawlings (@cymru_lfc) April 1, 2015"

"

Sterling must think he is maradona and pele rolled into one if he thinks hes worth 180k a week. Pure greed

— Kenny Clarke (@kennyclarke2803) March 30, 2015"

"

Thinking we need some songs about greed. Money money money by Abba can be new Sterling song

— Sell Sterling (@LFCacManager) April 2, 2015"

Liverpool fans appear to be ready to cash in on the player who says he really isn't interested in cash:

"

Can we please just sell sterling now I'm sick of this pointless hype over an overly overrated player

— Ghost St Patrick (@rapzie) April 2, 2015"

In a press conference on Thursday, Brendan Rodgers admitted that Sterling had made a "mistake" in giving the BBC interview (as per Sky Sports) and that the Reds are actually in no position to offload him:

Naturally, this was met with some skepticism:

"

Brendon Rodgers on Raheem Sterling pic.twitter.com/OcPOLSXgS9

— Troll Football (@Troll__Football) April 2, 2015"

Sterling admitted that he was "flattered" by interest in his signature from Saturday's opponents Arsenal. The reaction to a potential move to north London was a little mixed, particularly from the perspective of Gunners fans:

"

Don't mind if Sterling leaves, Arsenal is hardly a step forward though if he truly leaves because of trophies

— Will (@Will_Jinks) April 2, 2015"

"

Raheem Sterling so overrated,we dont need him at Arsenal.

— Formie (@formbob) April 2, 2015"

"

Wouldn't want Sterling at Arsenal all he does is run round like a Chicken before falling over, most overrated player I've seen

— ㅤ (@Cxzorla) April 2, 2015"

In the interest of balance, there has been a vocal minority who have supported Sterling in this time of self-inflicted difficulty:

"

Sterling turning down an £140,000 p/w contract is not greed, it's ambition. He wants to win trophies which, in reality, he won't at Lpool.

— ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ (@amyostojic) April 1, 2015"

The general consensus, however, is that Sterling may fail to recover from this public-relations mishap and that he may now struggle to shake the mercenary tag.

The irony of a player getting into a brouhaha about money when his surname is literally a type of currency is clear, but Sterling's future at Anfield is not.   

Follow @RyanJayBailey