Transfer Centre

Steven Gerrard: Liverpool "perfect" club for Raheem Sterling development

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 19 December 2014

Raheem Sterling is urged to sign a new deal at Liverpool by skipper Steven Gerrard, who says that the midfielder can continue to improve at the club.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has urged Raheem Sterling to sign a new deal at Anfield because the club is "perfect for him".

The 20-year-old, who has been fielded in a more central attacking position this month, is tied down to the Reds until 2017.

Terms on a new contract are yet to be agreed, however, which has led to much speculation linking the England international with some of European football's biggest names.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Gerrard, who himself has yet to decide on his Liverpool future, said: "I hope he signs a new contract because I think this club is perfect for him - certainly for the next few years. He's going to play most weeks, the fans love him here.

"He can progress here and become a top, top player here so I hope the people around him give him the right advice because he should stay. He's great to watch, great to play with, he's got that pace. When you look up he's always giving you an option and that's what I've thrived on throughout my career at Liverpool with the likes of Fernando Torres, Michael Owen.

"There's nothing better as a midfielder when you look up and see pace running in behind. I saw it on numerous occasions [against Bournemouth] and hopefully it will continue because it stretches teams and creates chances."

Sterling ended a run of 17 games without a goal when he bagged a brace against Bournemouth in the week to fire the Merseyside outfit into the last four of the League Cup.