Liverpool: £63m star wanted shock return to Anfield

Liverpool could have signed Raheem Sterling earlier this summer, according to journalist Jacque Talbot.

The £63m-rated winger recently ended his seven-year stay with Manchester City by joining Chelsea, although Talbot reckons the England international wanted to return to Anfield.

Sterling started his professional career with Liverpool and made more than 100 appearances for the Merseysiders before his incredible potential attracted the attention of City, who paid £49m for his services in 2015.

The 27-year-old would spend the next seven seasons at the Etihad Stadium, winning an avalanche of major trophies, while scoring more than 100 goals for the reigning Premier League champions.

In total, Sterling won four Premier League titles, five Carabao Cups and the FA Cup in 2019, in which he scored twice in the final.

Overall, he left City with a record of 131 goals and 94 assists, although his lack of game-time last season ultimately paved the way for him to seek pastures new, especially with just 12 months remaining on his contract.

He ended up signing for another top four club in Chelsea, who paid City just £1m than they bought him for, but Talbot reckons that Sterling’s preferred choice was returning to Merseyside.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “We heard from reliable sources that Sterling actually wanted to go to Liverpool before making the move for Chelsea.

“I don’t think Manchester United were a consideration, but what I heard is that in essence, Liverpool rejected him.”

While Sterling is clearly good enough to play for Jurgen Klopp’s side, a return to Anfield would have been a major shock.

Not only are Liverpool well stocked in the forward areas with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Harvey Elliott and summer signing Darwin