Real aim to get their man - can Liverpool hold onto him?

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Old Master
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Real aim to get their man - can Liverpool hold onto him?

Post by Old Master »

Be afraid, Liverpool fans. Real Madrid are after Raheem Sterling and they ALWAYS get their man

Sep 23, 2014 22:31 by Martin Lipton

From Di Stefano and Puskas to Ronaldo, Bale and Rodriguez, history tells us the Kop club may be powerless to hang onto their teenage star, writes Martin Lipton

John Powell
Mission impossible? Liverpool face a long losing battle to hang onto Raheem Sterling

They are football’s White Shadow. The club that does not understand the meaning of the word ‘No’. Who do whatever it takes to get their man.

From Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas in the 1950s, through persuading Luis Figo to leave Barcelona at the beginning of Real Madrid’s ‘Galactico’ era, which saw Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and David Beckham all seduced to move to the Spanish capital.

In recent years, it has been the same story.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez all ending up at the ‘White House’.

Now it seems Europe’s latest talent is on the Madrid agenda.

And history tells us even Liverpool may prove powerless to keep Raheem Sterling at Anfield.

As Real’s interest in bringing Sterling to the Bernabeu emerged on Tuesday night, a familiar pattern was starting to emerge.

First, information is leaked.

Then, current Real players, when asked to comment, suggest the target would be perfect for the Bernabeu.

Drip by drip.

Mentions of Real’s status, their financial power and history. Followed by the end game. The formal bid miles under the player’s true value, behind-the-scenes contact with agents, agitation and finally a signature and presentation.

Of course Madrid’s pursuit of Sterling may not end with flashlights in a Bernabeu suite.

Liverpool’s resolve, stiffened by the wrangle which eventually cost them Luis Suarez, will be huge. Sterling has shown no signs of wanting to leave the Reds.

But Real are remorseless.

In Florentino Perez, they have a president who knows the dark arts. And while the past does not determine the future, it often signposts how events materialise.

Perez showed his hand for the first time in 2000.

When he promised in his election campaign that he would bring Figo with him, it was met with derision. By the time the summer was out, Barcelona fans were planning their ‘pig’s head’ protest for the Portuguese winger.

Perez was forced out after six years in 2006. But when he returned three years later, he had honed his tactics.

For two seasons, Real coveted Ronaldo, despite his pledges of allegiance to Manchester United. But within a fortnight of his second coronation, at which he suggested, “It would be good if he came to Real”, Perez not only broke the world transfer record to land Kaka, he smashed it again for the Portuguese superstar.

Sometimes, they can be held at bay. But not for ever. Ask Daniel Levy.

The Tottenham chairman could argue that he got the maximum for Modric and Bale. But he still sold them both.

Brendan Rodgers, bruised this summer by Suarez, will know how Andre Villas-Boas felt in 2013.

Keeping Real at bay over Sterling will be an even greater challenge.


I can"t see Liverpool going down without a fight in this case - watch out for a new contract announcement before the next transfer window opens! :oops:
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Stuckey
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Re: Real aim to get their man - can Liverpool hold onto him?

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Real always get their man? Weren't they after Gerrard a few years ago?

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Re: Real aim to get their man - can Liverpool hold onto him?

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As long as they pay overs everyone is dispensable.
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Re: Real aim to get their man - can Liverpool hold onto him?

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Stuckey wrote:Real always get their man? Weren't they after Gerrard a few years ago?

Yes but they changed their mind and bought someone better - can't remember his name though.
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Re: Real aim to get their man - can Liverpool hold onto him?

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Old Master wrote:
Stuckey wrote:Real always get their man? Weren't they after Gerrard a few years ago?

Yes but they changed their mind and bought someone better - can't remember his name though.
I'm thinking Xavi Alonso but I'm sure that Real were after Gerrard well before they went after Xavi Alonso.

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Re: Real aim to get their man - can Liverpool hold onto him?

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The Kop wrote:As long as they pay overs everyone is dispensable.

So Rodgers can wisely invest another 100 mill :wink:

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Re: Real aim to get their man - can Liverpool hold onto him?

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Derek wrote:
The Kop wrote:As long as they pay overs everyone is dispensable.

So Rodgers can wisely invest another 100 mill :wink:
Woudln't knock back 100m!!...... :D
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Re: Real aim to get their man - can Liverpool hold onto him?

Post by Jonny Lidon »

When did Suarez sign for Real?
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Re: Real aim to get their man - can Liverpool hold onto him?

Post by God is an Englishman »

I remember when they wanted mcmanaman and woodgate. :lol:
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Re: Real aim to get their man - can Liverpool hold onto him?

Post by Nice One Cyril »

Derek wrote:
The Kop wrote:As long as they pay overs everyone is dispensable.

So Rodgers can wisely invest another 100 mill :wink:
They might buy Ozil from you :lol:
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Re: Real aim to get their man - can Liverpool hold onto him?

Post by Derek »

Come on NOC, he scored and assisted on the weekend :wink:

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Re: Real aim to get their man - can Liverpool hold onto him?

Post by Nice One Cyril »

Derek wrote:Come on NOC, he scored and assisted on the weekend :wink:
I could have scored a hatty against Senderos :wink:
Victor Meldrew wrote:A decent govt..... like uk. :lol:
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Re: Real aim to get their man - can Liverpool hold onto him?

Post by El Capitano »

Liverpool could replace Sterling with that other up and coming youngster from West Ham.
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