the interview in which he suddenly seemed happy to discuss that unsigned £ 100,000-a-week contract , assert he is a trophy-hunter rather than a money-grabber and , perhaps most alarming of all , admit he is flattered by interest from saturday 's opponents from north london that sterling shakes hands with his manager brendan rodgers during the melwood training session .
the response seemed well prepared , a message of solidarity combined with a show of strength .