Phil Thompson blasts 'greedy' Raheem Sterling

Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson has branded Raheem Sterling 'greedy' following reports that the winger is keen to leave the club.

It was claimed on Monday night that the 20-year-old is due to reject a bumper new contract at Anfield this week.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have all been linked with the England international.

Despite earning plenty of praise over the past two seasons for his performances in a Liverpool shirt, Thompson believes that Sterling has let all of the attention go to his head.

"Raheem Sterling is a good player. He is not a great player. He has done well for Liverpool, but he is not the superstar that he perceives himself to be. He has still got a lot of learning to do and he is at the right club to do it," the ex-defender told Sky Sports News.

"For the money he is asking for – £100,000 – I don't even think he is actually worth that so for him to be asking for £150,000 is basically greed.

"Whether he will get the money he wants, I am not quite sure. But I think in these last six months, his mind has been made up through his advisors that the best thing to do is seek the next step of his career elsewhere. I think Champions League, Europa League has nothing to do with this. It's all money driven."

Sterling has scored 11 goals in 52 appearances for Liverpool so far this season.