If Liverpool fans are wondering where Raheem Sterling has been all week, they should look right near the beach.
Sterling, 20, has missed Liverpool’s last two games because he has been in Jamaica on a mid-season vacation. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said Saturday that he planned Sterling’s rest period months ago and the young star deserves a break after playing virtually nonstop in 2014.
“Raheem will be back next week,” Rodgers said at his press conference following Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Sunderland. “It’s something that was already planned from the summer.
Sterling watched Liverpool beat the Black Cats in blustery conditions at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England.
[tweet https://twitter.com/sterling31/status/553933001537888257 align=’center’]
The high winds and cold temperatures are a far cry from those in the island-nation where Sterling was born.
Sterling has played 34 games for club and country so far in 2014-15. Sterling also has played more minutes than any outfield player in the Premier League this term.
Liverpool is missing a number of players due to injury, but Rodgers said resting Sterling now will help him and the club in the near-, medium- and far-terms.
“There’s a lot asked of him and if I was selfish I would maybe have him here with me for every single minute because he’s been brilliant, but I need to think of the kid and the long-term for Liverpool and for him.
“I felt after the Christmas period, because he’s played a lot for me — he’s played over 100 games already as a kid and he’s just turned 20 — it would be a good period for him to have a rest.
“He missed the FA Cup tie and missed today’s game, then he rejoins us again next week and will be fresh and fit for the second half of the season.”
Sterling likely will be available to play next Saturday when Liverpool visits Aston Villa in the Premier League.
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Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@LFC
