Liverpool will be hoping this all blows over
Raheem Sterling will not face any formal club discipline over footage of him appearing to inhale nitrous oxide, or ‘laughing gas’, which came to light prior to Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle last night.
Boss Brendan Rodgers said after the game that he intended to speak with Sterling privately about the video, but reports in the Telegraph suggest Rodgers make it more of a ‘paternal discussion’ with the 20-year-old forward, for whom the incident is the latest in a growing pattern of behaviour deemed by many as unbecoming a top-level footballer.
Aside from an increasingly acrimonious contract dispute, Sterling has also been filmed allegedly smoking a ‘shisha pipe’.
But rather than viewing the matters as damaging to the club, the Anfield hierarchy believe they are more the growing pains of a young player who needs to become a better professional.
Let’s hope Raheem has his listening ears turned on, then.
