Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has spoken of his "fury" at the timing of speculation surrounding Raheem Sterling's future with the club.

Reports over the last couple of days have suggested that the 19-year-old was in no rush to extend his contract at Anfield, with Real Madrid having been credited with an interest in his services.

Yesterday on Twitter, Carragher responded to the rumours by telling Sterling's agent, who he believes has been leaking stories to the media, to "shut up".

Today, with the out-of-form Liverpool in need of the three points from their clash with West Bromwich Albion, 36-year-old Carragher has further expanded on his viewpoint.

"On Friday morning, when I saw the back page of this newspaper, I was sent into a rage. A headline reading 'Kop fight to keep Sterling' was not what was needed before a game of huge significance for Liverpool," he wrote in the Daily Mail. "Do not underestimate the importance of the showdown with West Brom. If Liverpool fail to win again, the international break will be an absolute nightmare and the mood will worsen.

"Now, before we go any further, I want to make it clear I have no issue about a journalist unearthing a story. Nor, on a separate matter, do I have a problem with agents trying to get the best possible deal for their clients. In both circumstances, people are just doing their respective jobs.

"The reason for my fury was the timing of this particular story. Whoever has let it be known that Sterling is in no rush to commit his future to Liverpool has made a massive mistake. No thought has been given to the big picture."

Sterling's current deal is believed to expire in the summer of 2017.