Brendan Rodgers remains realistic on Raheem Sterling’s future

Brendan Rodgers has confessed that he won’t have any direct input into the discussions that will make or break Raheem Sterling’s future at Liverpool.

Talks about renewing the England striker’s contract are now on hold until the end of the season, and though Rodgers stresses that he’s relaxed about the outcome, he admits there’s not much he can do to affect it.

“For players and their representatives, it’s usually about two things game time and money,” he says.

“As manager, you want to do everything possible for the player. But ultimately if he, or more likely his representative, decides that the player needs to move, that’s normally what happens.

“Raheem has had 118 appearances for us and has just turned 20, so there may be other factors!

“We have a strong relationship but unfortunately it’s about more than that.

“This is the place for him to play his football. Anyone with his best interests at heart will see that.

“I’m sure that the club and his representatives will find the solution.

“The model that’s been created here has been to incentivise young players. Not to give them too much too early but still give them what they’re worth.

“I’ve seen some top young talent getting way overpaid and then they disappear. It wouldn’t happen here.

“It’s not really my area, so I don’t know what the gap is.

“I’m relaxed about it. He’s got two-and- half years left on his contract so he’s going nowhere in a hurry.

“He’s been outstanding but there’s still more to come from him. He’s not a fully-fledged senior player yet.

“This is a boy who has given me everything. I’ve played him all over the team and he’s never moaned once.

“He’s never come and said: ‘Boss, I can play better in this position, I’m better here and I like the glory’.

“I just hope for the kid’s sake that it gets resolved. Everyone has seen how it’s blossomed here and he can move on to the next chapter.”