• Premier League

Rodgers warns Sterling over Liverpool deal

Raheem Sterling has been propelled into the England squad © PA Photos

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Brendan Rodgers is confident Liverpool will find a deal with Raheem Sterling, but has insisted the club will not be held to ransom over his contract.

Sterling's future is a subject of speculation, as he is seeking out a new deal following his breakthrough at Anfield. He is currently on a youth-team deal, which is worth in the region of £2,000 a week. There are claims that he is looking for a major hike to put him in the same bracket as other first-team members.

It is believed the club are wide apart in their valuations, which has put Sterling's future at Liverpool in doubt.

Rodgers has revealed that Sterling has 18 months still to run on his contract, meaning there is no rush to strike a deal, and wants what is best for player and club.

"I don't want the club or the kid being affected by over-the-odds demands," Rodgers told the Daily Telegraph. "I think there's a value I see in a young player that hasn't achieved anything. All the figures that get bandied about for kids these days can destroy them. I'm in the business of trying to help nurture these kids, and money distorts the reality.

"It's just one of these things that will get done. I'm confident that it will do. There's good conversations so there's no worry or concern. It will be resolved.

"There's still 18 months left [on his current deal]. He's a young kid and we just want to make sure that everything's right for him to be nurtured. With young players contracts get handed out left, right and centre to a kid who's not done anything, getting a four-year deal on decent money, and then clubs wonder why in two or three years it's gone wrong."

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