Raheem Sterling misused at Liverpool; Michael Carrick indispensable at Manchester United

Thomas Woods argues in his Premier League talking points that Raheem Sterling needs to be put in a position to succeed by Brendan Rodgers and that Michael Carrick has proved his worth for Louis van Gaal.

Raheem Sterling has scored eight goals with eight assists across 39 matches in all competitions for Brendan Rodgers's Liverpool this year. Adam Davy / PA Wire

Sterling needs to get better

Liverpool might still grab an Uefa Champions League spot this season but even if they have to settle for a Europa League slot, next season holds plenty of promise if Brendan Rodgers can add two elements to his team – a fit Daniel Sturridge and an efficiently used Raheem Sterling.

Rodgers can look at the teams likely to finish in the top four and reasonably think he can displace at least one of them. Manchester City are likely to make several changes to their squad, Manchester United will also dip into the transfer market while Chelsea and Arsenal have few obvious areas where they can improve.

But Liverpool can get better in several positions: their entire defence, for example. However, Sturridge, Sterling and Phillipe Coutinho have the potential to be the most effective forward line in the league.

Sturridge’s fitness is mostly out of Rodgers’s hands but when he is healthy he makes Liverpool a more balanced side. No player who has replaced him up front, from Sterling and Mario Balotelli to Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini, has made the same impact.

Sturridge has five goals in this injury-hit 2014/15 campaign, so it is no surprise Liverpool have regressed, having lost Luis Suarez (31 goals last season) and been without Sturridge (22) for most of the season.

A fit Sturridge in 2015/16 will allow Sterling to be used in his most efficient position, roaming behind the central striker.

Sterling has been used all over the park this season but he is not a centre forward and is wasted as a wingback. His pace, dribbling and quick feet are his weapons and he needs to be facing the goal.

The youngster, or his agent, at least, might feel his recent show of unrest was justified. He wants a big pay rise, of course, and he has been played out of position, but statistically he has not improved over last season.

In 2013/14 Sterling played 24 league games. He scored nine times – a goal every 2.5 games – and assisted five. Almost 50 per cent of his shots were on target.

In 2014/15 he has seven goals in 30 games – a goal every 4.25 games – and seven assists. His shot-on-target rate has dropped to 39 per cent.

Sterling will eventually get his pay rise and may one day play for Real Madrid or Barcelona, 2015/16 should be all about concentrating on playing his best football in his best position.

If Rodgers can put all the pieces in place up front, Liverpool will have a much better chance of cracking the top four next season.

Carrick is United’s most important player

Another statistic: Manchester United have lost 5.9 per cent of their games this season with Michael Carrick in the team and 34.8 per cent without him. He can challenge David de Gea for the title of United’s most important player.

Its possible that Carrick is the most underrated player of his generation. England often struggled to pair Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard effectively in midfield when Carrick would have added much more control to the centre of the park. Carrick also has been one of the constant elements in several title-winning United squads.

Louis van Gaal appears to be in the market for a midfielder next season, but there are few players like Carrick, with his calmness and passing efficiency. Paul Scholes was one, Andrea Pirlo, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas are others. Marco Verratti at Paris Saint-Germain is the best of the next generation.

United have always coped with the loss of big players, such as David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, but Carrick might be harder to replace.

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