Now, in the year of 2026, fans can be forgiven for thinking that Raheem Sterling is a little past his peak. After all, he may be just 31 years old, but the winger left Chelsea as a free agent this winter, joining Feyenoord on a deal until the end of the season.
While the past few years have not been that impressive, it should not be forgotten that the Englishman is one of the best wingers in Premier League history. He proved his elite talent at Manchester City, arriving in 2015, and winning four league titles in seven years.
Before joining the Etihad outfit, however, Sterling burst onto the scene as a brilliant young talent at Anfield. He played 129 games for Liverpool, scoring 23 goals, adding 18 assists, and quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting players in the country. That said, not all of his teammates were big fans.
Dirk Kuyt Had Key Issue With Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling of Liverpool looks on
Raheem Sterling - Liverpool
In 2012, a 17-year-old Sterling made his senior Liverpool debut in a league match against Wigan Athletic. That was also the final year Dirk Kuyt was at Anfield – incidentally then leaving the English club for Feyenoord.
The Dutchman would play just one competitive game alongside Sterling, but got to know the youngster well in training. It's fair to say he left a reasonable impression on Kuyt, although not necessarily the best one. Speaking to ESPN, he explained why he wasn't the biggest fan of the teenager, saying:
"That was quite a few years ago, he was 16 then. We trained together a few times and played a few matches.
"Ultimately, I didn't like him that much because he quickly moved to a big rival. But Raheem Sterling, of course, is considered a fantastic player in English football with a tremendous record."
Kuyt certainly wouldn't have been the only man in Liverpool to be upset with Sterling, who left the club to join rivals Manchester City for around £50m. Seeing as the retired forward now manages Dutch second division side FC Dordrecht, it will be interesting if their paths cross with the English winger at Feyenoord.
Raheem Sterling wearing headphones Related
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Sterling's Controversial Anfield Exit
Brendan Rodgers and Raheem Sterling in Liverpool training
The circumstances around Sterling's Anfield exit were somewhat controversial. The winter before he joined Man City, manager Brendan Rodgers claimed that Sterling had been offered "an incredible deal" to stay at Liverpool, but added that Liverpool were "certainly not a club that is going to give way, way above what a player is worth at a certain time in their career."
No deal was signed, and Sterling then gave an unsanctioned interview with the BBC, where he confirmed he had turned down a new deal, but denied money had played a key part in his decision. Rodgers was unhappy with the comments and criticised Sterling's advisors, particularly Aidy Ward, saying: "You are not a 20-year-old boy and you pick up the phone and ask to speak to the BBC. You don't do it. Him in particular. But, of course, if he is asked to do that by other parties then that is what he'll do."
Ward later responded: "I don't care about the PR of the club and the club situation... He is definitely not signing. He's not signing for £700, £800, £900 thousand a week." He was right at Sterling joined Man City this summer, but the exit – and circumstances around it – are still a sensitive topic for Liverpool fans to this day.
It's interesting to learn that teammates such as Kuyt were also annoyed by Sterling's transfer.