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Cape Town - Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool handled the Raheem Sterling situation well and got a "great deal" as they agreed to sell the wantaway star.
On Sunday, widespread media reports reported that Manchester City had their £49 million bid for Raheem Sterling accepted by Liverpool. The former Liverpool stalwart believes the Reds received "a great fee" and praised club's owners for "showing great strength" in a tough situation.
After falling out with the Anfield club by refusing to renew his contract, Carragher wants Sterling to re-focus on the game and " to do what he does best play football".
"Raheem Sterling is a very good young player but he has not yet hit the heights of an Owen, Rooney, Fowler or Giggs at this stage of his career so there's no doubt 49 million is a great deal for Liverpool. The price is not something Raheem can control & the debate will rage about whether he's worth it or not but the price is more to do with nationality & potential, what he can become rather than what he is right now, but if he can take Man City to more titles & get close to CL success they'll deem it worth it.
It's now time for Raheem to do what he does best play football & show the Premier League the Sterling who was described as "The best young player in Europe" just over a year ago & you couldn't argue that fact at the time. I think he has the potential to be a star & one of the leading lights in the national team for years to come as we saw in the Italy game at the WC in Brazil.
From Liverpool's point of view it's a great fee & credit to FSG who have showed great strength in these situations since they come to the club which sends a message to other clubs & current players. Surely in the future though they will want to halt the exodus of Lfc's top players moving on."
