Jamie Carragher Sounds off on Raheem Sterling's Liverpool Contract Situation

Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher chimed in on the ongoing contract dispute between the Reds and forward Raheem Sterling, writing a scathing column for the Daily Mail regarding the England international's latest comments.  

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The 20-year-old talked to BBC Sport's Natalie Pirks earlier this week in an attempt to clarify the situation, explaining why he turned down the club's latest offer of a new deal:

The reactions from fans and pundits were almost universally negative, and Carragher became the latest to weigh in on the matter. Writing for the Daily Mail, the Sky Sports pundit said:

"

Another week, another PR disaster for Team Sterling. It is six months to the day since I expressed my dismay on this page over a story about his contract negotiations and here we are again.

There has been much focus on the fact Raheem Sterling has turned down a contract worth around £100,000 per week. He reportedly wants £150,000. He is being perceived as flashy and cocky but that is not the young man I got to know. He was quiet, humble and eager to improve. ... For a 20-year-old and his agent to be taking on Liverpool FC in the public domain is a disgrace. I have no issue about players maximising their earning potential but the agenda that is being driven from Sterling’s camp is beyond a joke. ... Liverpool and Rodgers are what Sterling needs at this stage of his career. He should realise this. And there is one change I would recommend he makes this summer—and it is not his football club.

"

Carragher is far from the only one reacting this way. Manchester United legend Paul Scholes sent the youngster a similar message, per The Independent (via Bleacher Report UK):

Sterling has emerged as one of Liverpool's top young talents over the past two years, becoming a key factor in Brendan Rodgers' attack and a building block for the future. But he's been involved in a contract standoff all season, and by refusing a reported deal of £100,000 per week, per Carragher, he has now alienated the fanbase.

Those same Reds fans who once defended him as the best talent in all of England are now squarely behind their club and even willing to let him walk, as reported by the Liverpool Echo's James Pearce:

Meanwhile, a host of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City, are reportedly preparing to bring in the England international, according to the Daily Mail's Chris Wheeler. In just a few short days, the situation has completely spun out of control, which is the last thing Liverpool needed right now.

After all, the Reds will be playing in arguably their most important fixture of the season on Saturday, traveling to London to meet Arsenal. A loss at the Emirates would make Champions League qualification nearly impossible, as explained by Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell:

With the interview, Sterling perhaps wanted to explain his actions and ask for some patience, but he's achieved the exact opposite. Carragher loves Liverpool as much as anyone, and the fact Sterling has now lost his support is telling for how the Reds currently feel about him.

It's not too late for the youngster, however, and a big performance on Saturday would go a long way to repairing the damage he caused this past week.

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