Liverpool aren’t good enough for Raheem Sterling I think he’s going to Man City

I don’t need a crystal ball to make this prediction…

I’m certain we will see more and more cases like the Raheem Sterling one over the next few years.

There are a number of reasons why young players no longer show any loyalty to their clubs.

Agents have a big part to play, and they are motivated by the vast amounts of money swilling around the game. One move makes you a multi-millionaire.

But we have to accept that footballers have always been tempted to chase the cash.

It’s a short career and the wise man will earn enough to make sure his retirement is a comfortable one.

That was never really the case for players of my generation. Some did rather well for themselves, but they were earning salaries that allowed them to start a business or maybe invest in a small property portfolio.

The current crop of stars unless they’re incredibly stupid can put their feet up and never worry about money again.

And that’s why the wages issue is a bit of an irrelevance. Whether you earn £100,000 a week or £150,000 a week, you’re still a very rich man.

We have to look at the way youngsters view the pecking order in football these days.

For people of my generation, Saturday’s Cup Finals retain their magic.

I grew up dreaming of taking part in the season’s showpiece event, and getting the chance to lift one of the famous old trophies.

I’m not sure that’s true for 20-year-olds like Raheem Sterling.

The Champions League is now the be all and end all for them.

Look how Manchester United toiled to attract the really big stars because they weren’t in the Champions League for the first time in many years.

Liverpool might not even make it to the Europa League if they don’t beat Stoke City today.

I’m afraid that’s not good enough for 20-year-olds like Sterling.

Having watched the situation unfold over the last few weeks, my conclusion is that neither side has handled the affair very well.

Liverpool should have acted more quickly and got him tied down on a longer contract.

The player, however, hasn’t shown the supporters enough respect and he can’t have been surprised that some booed him at the club’s awards night.

I believe it is now inevitable that Sterling will leave the club, and my gut instinct is that his destination will be Manchester City.