Raheem Sterling’s future remains a mystery, as well as a huge talking point…
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has become the latest big name to advise Raheem Sterling against leaving Anfield this summer, claiming the youngster might not even get a game with a ‘bigger club’.
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As the Daily Mirror reports, Sterling has turned down a new deal with the Reds, but Souness feels he should reconsider to avoid his career going backwards.
He said: “He has to be careful what his next move is because right now he’s in the team, playing and improving. He could go to a bigger, stronger squad and not play every week – and that could be detrimental at this stage of his career.
“The unfortunate thing for Liverpool is that there are four or five clubs who would take Sterling and pay whatever he wants. That’s the dilemma.
“You want to try to put a lid on what you pay these young men because they could go off the rails; but if you don’t pay those sums, somebody else will.”
The 20-year-old has made remarkable progress since breaking into the first-team back in 2012, making over 100 appearances in all competitions and becoming a key figure for both club and country.
According to the Mirror, Sterling still has two years remaining on his current contract but has ruled out discussing an extension until at least the end of the season.
This has resulted in Brendan Rodgers slamming Sterling’s agent – Aidy Ward – for disturbing our build-up to Saturday’s game with Arsenal, while the uncertainty surrounding the situation as a whole has attracted the interest of Real Madrid, Manchester City and the Gunners.