Raheem Sterling wins back hearts at Liverpool, but minds still need convincing

Although far from his best, Sterling scored the opener in his side’s 2-0 victory. It is a result that not only helps restore his reputation, but keeps alive Liverpool’s top-four aspirations, writes John McAuley.

Raheem Sterling of Liverpool celebrates as he scores the team's first goal during their Premier League match against Newcastle United at Anfield on April 13, 2015 in Liverpool, England. Clive BrunskilShow more

Liverpool 2 Newcastle United 0

Liverpool Sterling 9', Allen 70'

Red card Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle)

Man of the match Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)

Back at Anfield for the first time since that ill-advised television interview, Raheem Sterling sculpted a script to win back hearts if not necessarily minds.

The Liverpool forward has been much maligned – the majority warranted – following his public proclamation regarding his future, even heckled by supporters at a recent kit launch.

Yet he has responded emphatically, like a player that could perhaps warrant more than £100,000 (Dh539,000) a week after all, however ludicrous a sum for a 20 year old with a solitary season of extraordinary input behind him.

Liverpool’s finest player in the defeat to Arsenal last time out, Sterling continued to contribute against Newcastle on Monday night. Although far from his best, he scored the opener in his side’s 2-0 victory. It is a result that not only helps restore Sterling’s reputation, but keeps alive Liverpool’s top-four aspirations, too.

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Dual defeats to Manchester United and Arsenal had hurt and they had harmed. Six goals conceded, Brendan Rodgers’s tactical acumen was questioned.

However, injuries and suspensions forced the Northern Irishman's hand against Newcastle. Mamadou Sakho, Martin Skrtel, Steven Gerrard were the main men unavailable, prompting Rodgers to revert to a back four for the first time in the Premier League since December 6.

Up front, Sterling formed an attacking triumvirate alongside Philippe Coutinho and the returning Jordan Ibe. The fleet-footed trio was always a danger, Coutinho often its principle threat.

As has been his wont these past few weeks, Sterling will attract the headlines. On nine minutes, the England international crafted the game’s opening goal. Exhibiting both speed of foot and mind, he cushioned Jordan Henderson’s cross-field pass before stepping inside two opponents and curling past Tim Krul. It was Sterling’s first in nine club matches.

But Newcastle, fresh from last week’s dispiriting derby defeat to Sunderland, weathered the storm and soon settled into their rhythm. If only referee Lee Mason had rewarded their enterprise with a penalty shortly before half-time, yet the official somehow deemed Dejan Lovren’s wild hack at Ayoze Perez not worthy of a spot-kick.

Without a win at Anfield in 19 matches – a sequence stretching back 21 years – Newcastle’s rotten run appeared set to continue. In truth, they did not portray a team bowed by four successive losses. At one point, Perez forced a fine save from Simon Mignolet, while Medhi Abeid spurned a glorious chance in first-half stoppage time.

Never far from the fray, it was Sterling who supplied the miss of the match. Presented with the ball six yards from Newcastle’s goal in the 56th minute, he inexplicably contrived to sidefoot wide. Thankfully for his standing among the home fans, it did not prove costly: 13 minutes later, Joe Allen secured the result with a fine improvised finish.

It would get worse, still, for Newcastle, when Moussa Sissoko received a second yellow for a horribly mistimed tackled on Lucas Leiva.

So Liverpool emerged with the points. Suddenly, optimism has been renewed. With six matches remaining, they find themselves back in fifth, one place and four points behind a Manchester City side in sharp decline. Although the champions boast a far superior goal difference - 31 to 11 – it could again be Liverpool to occupy that fourth and final Champions League spot come season end. Whether Sterling is around to lead their challenge through the next campaign remains to be seen. Despite his contribution here, bridges still require rebuilding.

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