Who do Liverpool need to sign to retain the title? Keep up with all the Reds news with our free daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

When Luis Suarez joined Barcelona, he sent two messages to people back at Anfield, thanking them for helping him achieve what was, unarguably, a dream move.

One was to Steven Gerrard, his friend and mentor, and a footballer for whom the South American superstar will always have the most incredible respect and admiration; stating simply his heartfelt thanks for everything the Liverpool captain had done for him over the past years.

The other was also a genuine expression of gratitude, this time to Reds boss Brendan Rodgers. Without him, Suarez admitted humbly, he would not be bracketed amongst the world's greatest with wages to match.

That display of class was pure Suarez, a man who – for all his demons – possesses humility and generosity. He knew that his time at Liverpool crucially took him up a level, turned him from a player of admirable skill to one of ruthless goalscoring prowess.

He knew that Rodgers and Gerrard had a massive role in that.

(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Contrast that with Raheem Sterling's actions in trying to force a move to Manchester City. Let's be fair to the young man, he isn't the demon many Reds fans now imagine him to be. He's a nice kid, quiet even, who also possesses a certain humility.

But his actions towards Rodgers are so far beyond unfair, they border on the criminal, and so far beyond ungrateful, they border on despicable.

Without his Anfield manager, Sterling wouldn't be in the position he now finds himself, sitting on an offer of £50m in wages from Manchester City. That figure bears repeating. If he goes to the Etihad, then he will comfortably pick up a five year contract worth almost £200,000 a week... which even those who played football and didn't study maths can work out is an eye watering sum.

(Image: EMPICS)

No one should begrudge him that figure. Football clubs are earning billions on the back of their players' talents, so why shouldn't the most exciting, most promising amongst them pick up a share?

It is simple economics, and doesn't deserve the tidal wave of bile and disgust that has flowed his way. What SHOULD inspire that level of disgust though, is his spiteful attack on Rodgers in recent days.

He has used the media to suggest the manager is the reason he is leaving – and make no mistake here, that is not a media invention, they are merely reporting the words that have come directly from the Sterling camp.

Sterling and the rest of the squad in training on Monday:

For that, Rodgers has every right to be angry. In fact, make that disgusted. If he hadn't picked Sterling as a teenager, promoted him well beyond his level at that time, and given him the opportunity to blossom (and learn) alongside Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, would he have a chance right now of a £50m payday? Of course not.

Had he been a teenager at City, would he be in their first team now on those wages? Almost certainly not. So the ingratitude towards a man who has potentially earned him millions and millions and pounds is staggering in its hypocrisy.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Rodgers may have many faults, but his ability to develop young talent is not one of them. Arguably, there is no better manager in English football at doing so, and Raheem is lucky - £50m worth of luck – to have spent his formative years under him. He should never forget that.

The attack on the manager seems cowardly, especially when placed in contrast to Suarez's humility. The Uruguayan didn't always see eye to eye with the Liverpool manager, and was even unceremoniously ordered to train with the kids when his desire to join Arsenal got too strident.

But for all the animosity that generated, Suarez knew his Reds boss had played a massive part in his development... and his ability to join the greatest front three in the history of football. For that, he was – and is – humbly grateful.

If Raheem Sterling has even a shred of decency within him, then he should bear that in mind.

poll loading Do you have any sympathy for Raheem Sterling? 12000+ VOTES SO FAR YES NO