Agent insists Raheem Sterling 'should be at Liverpool'

New Manchester City darling Raheem Sterling is in the spotlight once again - this time through the words of his agent, who contended that his client shouldn't have even left Liverpool this summer.

Sterling's agent, Aidy Ward, has claimed that the only obstacle in Sterling's high-profile contract negotiations at Liverpool was then-manager Brendan Rodgers, while the man who was fired in favour of Jurgen Klopp maintained it was Ward who planted the seeds for the England international's exit.

Even with a standout performance to his name to start his time at the Etihad, Ward still believes Sterling would have thrived under Klopp, and that Rodgers is to blame for unrest surrounding the Jamaican-born winger's contract dispute.

"Raheem could have stayed, he should be at Liverpool. I think for me it was like he was being told to be a good boy and sign a contract," the agent told Mail Online. "In December I spoke to Liverpool and said we'll sign a contract if there is a buy-out clause - those clauses are now common practice. They said no to that.

"Then there was an underhandedness, there were sly remarks. In press conferences, Brendan told everyone Raheem would sign - why do that?"

Sterling, who was on a relatively paltry £35,000-a-week contract, turned down an offer of £100,000 per week to stay at the Merseyside outfit, according to reports - which fueled the angst of Liverpool supporters who had lost patience with their most influential player.

"I knew, Brendan knew and Liverpool knew there was an issue," Ward said. "Right now he probably should be a Liverpool player, but he's not and he's in a great place at City."

Perhaps to ensure that his comments don't inhibit future negotiations with Liverpool, the agent made sure to note that in his mind, only one party was to blame for the split.

"I had no problem with chief executive Ian Ayre, for example," the agent continued. "I have no issue with anyone but Rodgers. He had a massive job with massive funds. How did he do?"

Ward then went on to further blast the now-fired Rodgers' role in the failed contract negotiations, criticizing the Northern Irishman's abilities as a club manager off the field.

"Good coach, but as a manager I didn't like certain things about how he dealt with Raheem," Ward said. "Fifty percent of the players would probably tell you Brendan is not a good manager but is a good coach."

These strong words come from an agent who never seems far from controversy, as his meddling in the matters of other players has also found its way into the papers. In July, West Brom striker Saido Berahino parted ways with Ward, claiming to have been disheartened by the agent's role in Sterling's contract fiasco.

Ward's opinions of the new Liverpool manager Klopp, however, appear to have influenced his words towards both Rodgers and the club, as the au courant boss is sure to attract the interests of players and agents alike. After the agent again repeated his respect for the German gaffer, he openly wondered what could have been in a Sterling-Klopp pairing at Anfield.

"The new Liverpool manager probably would have been a great fit for Raheem," Ward said. "Passionate, disciplined in the right way, new ideas, not afraid of trying new things. He'll do great at Liverpool.

"Would Raheem under Klopp have been a good scenario? Yes, 100 percent. Mainly because of the person he is. The passion, drive, emotion, wanting to achieve. Raheem has all of this, but you won't always see it outwardly. Working with Klopp could have been great. He's going to get the best out of those players. It could have been a dream come true."