Have Liverpool lost more than just Sterling with sale of star?

Luis Suarez was the first genuinely world class player, aside from Steven Gerrard who also flirted once with an Anfield departure, since Fernando Torres, that the Merseysiders could boast.

Suarez and Torres’ departures may have looked like smart business but Liverpool’s subsequent spending was not, and it set an early precedent for Sterling’s own exit. Others like Michael Owen, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano have also come and gone, although the latter two seemed inexplicably undervalued.

The solution is not as simple as the Reds suddenly claiming a trophy. It’s all about perception and, aside from last season’s demoralising debacle, the Reds’ regular absence from Champions League football has dented their prestige as much as wantaway players, while their image has also arguably been tarnished by poor PR choices.

Money speaks, and the Northwest club are caught in somewhat of a vicious circle. They need to win significant silverware to attract the best players, so they can land top sponsorship and TV deals, and consequently offer those stars competitive wages. At the moment they just cannot realistically rival the likes of Manchester City, who can offer trophy chances as well as high salaries.

First day at work – check out our @sterling31 gallery of his first hours as a #mcfc player http://t.co/cvvTXkNfv7 pic.twitter.com/gVTH6Fc5KH

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) July 15, 2015

Of course, City had to start somewhere themselves, and perhaps one marquee transfer could turn the tide and other players’ heads. Currently Philippe Coutinho is Liverpool’s most talented attacker remaining, though perhaps academy graduate Jordan Ibe or summer signing Roberto Firmino could be the next Anfield icon. The Reds will need quick progression on the pitch to retain those ambitious talents, however.

Liverpool (1/3 to finish outside the top four) are not the only Premier League side to have suffered high-profile losses in recent times, as Arsenal and Manchester United have both lost superstars to La Liga and could again, while the Gunners have also been repeatedly raided by the two Manchester clubs.

Arsenal have shown that reputations can be restored, and successive club-record signings plus two FA Cup triumphs on the trot have seen them become a big draw once more, with Man Utd’s high-profile arrivals seeing them immediately bounce back to the continental stage in a similar way.

This season is so crucial for Rodgers’ Reds to close the gap, then, and failure to do so again will see them fall further down players’ preferred pecking order. No pressure.