Liverpool

Raheem Sterling: 'Liverpool perfect place for young players'

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 26 February 2015

Raheem Sterling suggests that he is ready to commit his future to Liverpool by claiming that there is no "better place" than Anfield for young players to thrive.

Raheem Sterling has given a strong indication that he intends to stay at Liverpool after claiming that the Merseyside club is the best place for young players to be.

The 20-year-old has emerged as a first-team regular under manager Brendan Rodgers over the last few seasons, but is yet to put pen to paper on a new contract following months of negotiations.

Widespread reports have claimed that the England international, who has been linked to Real Madrid, is holding out for a significant wage increase, but the player himself has stated that he is solely focused on matters on the pitch.

"I speak to my representative every day and he has told me to just concentrate on playing football and him and the club will deal with it - that is the most important thing," Sterling told reporters. "I am concentrating on winning games for Liverpool and hopefully it will be done soon.

"I don't think there is a better place for young lads than Liverpool at this moment in time. The manager has blooded a lot of young players like myself and Jordon [Ibe]. He puts you in at the deep end and it seems like at that moment you are ready.

"Every young player is getting a chance when they show they are working hard on the training pitch and that is credit to the manager for giving them the chance to shine at the highest level."

Tonight, Liverpool will switch their focus to the second leg of their last-32 Europa League tie against Besiktas in Istanbul.