RAHEEM STERLING PROVED his worth to Liverpool amid a much-discussed contract saga at Anfield by scoring in Monday’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United.
Sterling’s future and his apparent demands have dominated the back pages of late, but the 20-year-old scored in the Premier League for the time since February before Joe Allen sealed the points 20 minutes from time.
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Following back-to-back league defeats against Manchester United and Arsenal, Liverpool were given an ideal start when Sterling curled home nine minutes in.
Brendan Rodgers’ side – shorn of injured striker Daniel Sturridge – controlled the remainder of the half, but were perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty when Dejan Lovren appeared to clatter Ayoze Perez.
While Newcastle improved after the break, Sterling should have put the game to bed before the hour as he conspired to miss from close-range as Liverpool’s profligate finishing continued to frustrate the home faithful.
Rodgers’ men made hard work of things at times before Allen’s instinctive strike erased any fears of a slip-up as Liverpool remain in the hunt for a top-four finish as well as FA Cup honours, with a semi-final against Aston Villa to come this weekend.
In contrast, John Carver’s Newcastle, who saw captain Moussa Sissoko sent off for a second time this season late on, limp towards the end of another disappointing campaign following a fifth consecutive defeat.