STEVEN GERRARD HAS urged Raheem Sterling to sign a new contract at Liverpool, claiming the club is “perfect for him” if he is develop into a top-class player.
The winger has been linked with a move away from Anfield, with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich reportedly interested, though the 20-year-old is wary of committing his long-term future to the club while there is uncertainty over Rodgers’ position.
But Gerrard is hopeful his former England team-mate will put pen to paper on a new deal soon, with the promise of regular football set to help him reach the next level.
“I hope he signs a new contract at the club because I think this club is perfect for him, certainly for the next few years,” he told reporters.
“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 here.”
Gerrard feels the pace that Sterling possesses means he can prove to be a real threat in the final third, and compared him to previous Liverpool strikers Fernando Torres and Michael Owen due to their similar assets.
“He’s great to watch, great to play with, he’s got that pace,” he added. “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 and 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’s suitability for a central role was questioned after he was denied on three occasions by David de Gea against Manchester United, but Gerrard believes he has the clinical edge required to play as a striker.
“You’ve got to be able to have that [versatility] in your locker if you want to be top drawer. Raheem’s got potential to be top drawer for sure,” he explained.
“He took a lot of stick after the weekend [the loss to Manchester United] but I thought his all-round performance was magnificent, the only thing that was missing was a finish and that came [against Bournemouth].
“The exciting thing for all of us is that he’s English and going to be a top, top player. I think he can play anywhere along the front, he’s that intelligent. He’s got to keep learning, he’s got to keep wanting it.”
It really is people from outside the club who are concerned about his dry spell. 17 goals 7 assists & well in the hunt for the golden boot again
@samstheman: his finishing and awareness of players around him recently has been shocking, pressure?
Even when Salah hits a dry patch the opposition are fixated on him!
Liverpool are Top of the Premiership, and in the quarter finals of the Champion’s League!
Slow news day?
@Battaz: tbf its not news but for salah to come out of his dry spell( if ya can call it that) would be a massive boost for lfc. While their in a great posistion city still there and augero scoring. Messi/ronaldo scoring for europes big teams.
Salah is selfish. Always angry and moody when he doesn’t score yet the team are winning.
@Fred McHugh: all top strikers/goal scorers have that trait. Its a positive in a goal scorer. Top top player
@Fred McHugh: talking ouv your hoop
@Fred McHugh: thats what top strikers are …. Not ever happy with what they have . MON DA POOL
@Fred McHugh: can only agree with you Frederick. That accidental assist for Mane with the outside of his right foot v Munich was absolute and utter greed. Sell him to West Ham and be off with him
@Conor Pocock: left foot…. doh :)