Liverpool’s chances of finishing in the top four are over after their 1-1 draw with champions Chelsea, but it looks like their star replacement has already arrived at Anfield.
Manchester United have a six-point lead on the Reds and a superior goal difference, which means they are now only fighting for a Europa League place. When veteran Steven Gerrard scored the equaliser just before half-time it looked like they had a real chance of clinching victory, but it wasn’t to be.
As it became clearer they were not in the running for a Champions League place anymore, manager Brendan Rodgers decided to change the team a little bit.
Rickie Lambert had been hugely disappointing throughout the match so he was brought off and replaced by unknown 18-year-old Jerome Sinclair. The appearance was his first ever in the Premier League and given that the visitors will still looking for an important win, it was a surprise decision by the Rodgers.
It was unlikely that he was going to make a massive impact in such a big game – to be brought on for your debut in the Premier League at the Champion’s home ground cannot be an easy task, but that just shows how little Rodgers thinks of his current striking options.
[ffc-gal cat=”liverpool” no=”5″]
Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini were both left out of the match day squad, which surely shows they will be heading out of Anfield during the summer transfer window. The Reds have been linked with many players in the run-up to the end of the season, but it is possible he is hoping to use is young talent to bring a completely different style to the club.
The 18-year-old Englishman was ineffective in the 22 minutes he was on the pitch, but it could be the start of a new challenge for him.
Christian Benteke and Danny Ings have already been linked with moves to Anfield and many believe Rodgers is eyeing a complete reshuffle in the Reds’ attacking department. It is also believed Lambert will join the Italian pair heading for the exit door after Daniel Sturridge’s injury-ridden season has left a huge hole up-front for the side and the job has not been delivered.
Since being named as Liverpool gaffer in 2012, Rodgers has stated that he wants to bring talent through the academy at the club. Sinclair made his Liverpool debut just six days after his 16th birthday, making him the youngest ever player at the club.
He has been an academy regular and Rodgers has been impressed by his finishing ability and pace. One of his biggest assets is his unpredictability – as he has progressed through the academy and into the youth team it has been clear that he can read defenders and have the ability to change his style. His game has been compared to Raheem Sterling and Sturridge.
In an interview earlier in the season he said: “I’ve been told quite a lot we are a similar type of player and type of striker so I always watch him play.
“I try to pick up little bits of his game and our similarities so I can improve to be at the level he is at one day.”
Having netted an impressive 22 goals for the academy this season it is clear to see why Rodgers is keen to bring him right through the ranks. As the season draws to a close, the manager wants to see what talent he already has on his books before he goes out and spends.
There is no doubt Sinclair is going to be the next youngster that Rodgers develops in his squad and as he learns and develops, he could certainly show Balotelli how to play football for Liverpool in the future.
[ad_pod id=’ffc-video’ align=’center’]
