Former Liverpool midfielder John Barnes believes that it would be a mistake for Raheem Sterling to join Real Madrid at any point in the next three years.

The 20-year-old has arguably established himself as the Reds' strongest performer since the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona last summer.

Earlier this year it was reported that the Spanish giants were plotting a £50m summer move for Sterling, who remains locked in negotiations over a five-year contract extension.

However, Barnes fears that the youngster may become another of English football's cautionary tales if he makes a big-money move too soon.

"If I was Raheem Sterling I would stay with Liverpool for the next three years," he told Hinch.as. "I've seen it with other young players, a lot to do with their agents, a lot to do with the money they have been offered, that they rush off to big clubs.

"Of course Liverpool is a big club, but the temptation must be to go to Real Madrid or Barcelona or wherever, but the danger is that you can be lost to the game, and I can give you so many examples, like Jack Rodwell who went too early to Manchester City and Scott Sinclair who also went to Manchester City.

"With all due respect to clubs like that, they might turn out to be worse for them, and they end up going back and then not getting a move again. I would advise young players not to rush, but to stay at their clubs until they are 23 or 24."

Barnes, who spent 10 years at Anfield, added: "I went to Liverpool at the age of 23 by which time I was a 35-cap international players who could handle it.

"Raheem Sterling going to Real Madrid probably won't play every week, probably will play under enormous pressure to perform as a £50m superstar, whereas at Liverpool the fans will accept that he doesn't play well all the time.

"I would urge him and players like [Everton's] Ross Barkley to stay where they are, and move clubs in three or four years time."

The England international, whose current deal expires in 2017, has scored nine goals for Liverpool in all competitions this season.

Written by
Shane Callaghan