Raheem Sterling’s looking lost – two years after he was voted Europe’s most promising player

MAYBE all those scaremongers were on to something after all.

All that screaming about how Sterling will go through the floor the minute England are out of Europe. Only we’re not talking Brexit and next week’s vote here.

We are talking about the reputation of a  player who, just two years ago, was voted the most promising youngster in Europe.

Raheem Sterling’s eventual  switch from Liverpool to  Manchester City cost an eye-watering £49million.

You have to say that looks one of the smartest bits of football business any club will ever do — if you’re Liverpool.

Because almost from the minute he put pen to paper on a move that saw him become a sort of  footballing Thatcher figure on  Merseyside, things have gone one way. Downwards.

And here in the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, where he was booed by his own fans during the first half, it went right through the trapdoor.

For the England winger, 21, it is hardly stretching the imagination to suggest these Euros could already be over.

Certainly as far as a place in Roy Hodgson’s starting XI is concerned.

Some would praise Hodgson for his unwavering faith in  Sterling thus far. Others would see it as misguided loyalty.

Judging from the social media outburst when yesterday’s team was announced, they would be in the majority, too.

He labelled himself “the hated one” after a poor display against Russia in the Euro 2016 opener.

The cheer which greeted Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy’s arrival to chase a cause  was ear-splitting.

For Sterling, the fall from grace has been as spectacular as the  rise. This was a youngster with the world at his feet. A tricky winger come supporting striker who was destined to become one of the nation’s greats.

Sterling right now is a busted flush. A kid totally bereft of belief, or confidence . . . of pretty much anything positive.

Yesterday, the catcalls  grew with every heavy touch, every lost challenge, every misplaced pass.

The Sterling we saw against Wales was a world away from the one who scored a worldie against City two years ago to leave Anfield dreaming of a title.

It was not the one who a hit a hat-trick against Bournemouth in October or bagged a Champions League double against Monchengladbach on his 21st birthday in December.

The Sterling we see right now is a young man who, as much for his own good as anything else, needs hauling from the firing line.