Liverpool could have a big player on their hands.
It was only a matter of months. Raheem Sterling was embroiled in a debacle when he left Liverpool in the summer of 2015. He was already sporting City’s pale blue colours when Jurgen Klopp arrived at Anfield only a few months later.
Perhaps if the German had come sooner, Sterling would still be at the club. Instead of strutting his stuff for Pep Guardiola every week, Sterling could potentially be linking up with the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
What a trio that would be.
Of course one can only dream now. Raheem Sterling has moved on for pastures new and he has become an almost villain like figure to most Reds supporters with some irksome remarks about the club.
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When the fans were still allowed in the stadium, Raheem Sterling was often booed and ridiculed by the supporters at Anfield during Manchester City’s visits.
It was a sad end to a career which started so brightly at Anfield. Sterling after-all hit 5 goals in his first appearance on the hallowed turf in the club’s U18 side. That famous feat made him adored by the Kop.
He was the club’s new darling and for a few seasons Sterling was one of the fan favourites.
Brendan Rodgers was praised for honing Sterling’s skills, and now Jurgen Klopp could be about to have his own attacking academy star to develop.
James Balagizi has been catching the eye in the Reds’ U18 side this season. Much like Sterling, James Balagizi has the ability to mesmerise his opponents and run rings around them.
His long darting runs have caused havoc to opposition defences this season, and the exciting prospect has been tipped to become the next ‘big thing’ to come out of the club’s academy.
Ironically, James Balagizi joined Liverpool’s academy at U11 level from Manchester City.
The most impressive thing about James Balagizi is the way he glides past his opponents and just how effective he is at setting-up opportunities for his teammates. A big beneficiary of that has been Layton Stewart this season.
Klopp has worked with midfielders and defenders from the club’s academy, but he could finally have the chance to bring through an attacker in James Balagizi and that is an exciting prospect.
Have you seen much of James Balagizi?