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.”
Gerrard is correct. Sterling is too young to leave. If he leaves now and goes to bayern or Madrid and doesn’t make it, that could knock his confidence. He should stay at Anfield for a few more seasons and get better. YNWA
signing off YNWA? really?
Do you actually think Madrid or Bayern would sign him? Not trying to take the piss, but seeing as he’s English means Liverpool would prob want 30-40 million for him so can’t see them paying that.
He ll want to move to a big club and not end up like Gerrard… Bitter and broken from never winning a title ( Giggs has THIRTEEN) .
Although if they wait a few years, his price could rise significantly. I still don’t think they’d sign him because they really don’t need him, and he’s still a raw talent which needs developing. I pray that he stays though, he’s our only decent forward in the side at the moment.
Shows what you know Anthony, they would pay that for his marketability alone. When Madrid signed McManaman they were amazed at the size of the UK Market and went on so sign several UK players as you know.
Ah Gerry, that old chest nut peddaled out by United fans.
Sure Totti only has one Seria A title and no Champions League, surely you are not saying that Giggs is a better player than him?
He’s not saying Giggs is better than anyone…….just stating facts
hook line and sinker as usual.
Followed by a sarcastic one liner by Paul…..
Ya and signing Owen & woodgate were at great success. And you can’t compare sterling & beckham cos he’s the most famous footballer in the last 20 years. How many shirts do you tink sterling would sell?? That’s all I know peter
Michael Owen was a success there, he didn’t play that much but scored goals when ever he came on. Madrid were a circus back then and he didn’t get a decent chance. Woodgate was just a sick note.
I don’t know how many jerseys they would sell but it’s also about t.v. The more UK players in Spain means more UK interest and money and sponsorship.
He was there for one season and scored 13 goals and that’s a success? And millions of people ain’t going to tune into to La Liga to watch sterling sit on the bench for Madrid.
You are assuming that we are talking about a rational club Anthony…. we are talking about a club who would to pay the world record transfer fee just so they can be the ones to hold it.
They have a track record of paying huge fees young players like for Isco, Verane and Morata.
Fair point, do rate him as a player though. He’s only 20 and if he keeps progressing who knows… Anyways, I’m an arsenal fan so hope he plays shit at the weekend….
Thirteen medals or 13 others wives? Or both…. thats impressive…
Change the record Graham. That’s stale and boring at this stage.
Change the record Gerry, was only responding to your Giggs has 13 heard it a million times, stale and boring reference…..
Think before you type Gerry.Walked into that.
I only said it coz its a fact… Written in stone and in the record books forever.. Just like its in indisputable fact that fat boy Gerrard will retire without the medal he wants most. I don’t see him kissing cameras these days.
Better than kissing his brothers wife….
Gerry… learn to accept it…. I am not arguing Achievements… Giggs has it… but choose your battles….
Choose my battles Graham? Are u implying it would be foolish of me to cross intellectual swords with u ?
You’ve all ready proven that….
No, was simply suggesting when not to look like an ass… Your being smart…. Throwing the word fact in your comment suggests more that you were being a clown…. I am finished with this…. Well said Ben.
Definitely a stereotypical Liverpool supporter. Sad and bitter and a sore loser. I remember u last season and countless other fans of that horrible club sneering and jeering at Man U and Moyes. Now that ur lot has reverted to type by struggling again Youre sensitive and touchy but I’m glad ur finished for the night. I’m off out now for xmas drinks and cheer and going to have a good laugh at Pool friends of mine. I won’t wish u a Happy Christmas coz it clearly won’t be!
Whatever, I have been here for the last few years, when it was good, when it was bad….. I have hardly seen you till last few weeks….. Do not think I saw you at all last season….. An obvious cheer only when we win fan…. Good luck, commiserations to your ‘pool friend, though I would guess its just some guy at your local, who wonders why the fck this guy comes up to me…. Merry Christmas ya miserable bastid
Ha ha ha what happened out there in Canada? Were u tying ur shoelaces and some Moose did the business on ur nether regions? Ha ha it’s a wonderful world…
Listen to you…. You lose it and resort to childrens play…. Wtf….. You embarrass even the losers here…..
Gerrys in meltdown …
That escalated quickly :/
My pleasure
Heard Liverpool are building a state of the art Crèche at their training ground for his 27 kids in a bid to sign him up to a longer deal. True story.
Oh dear. Someone’s been reading the Mirror again…
Are people serious about him. He’s English that’s it. Will never be world class. Real Madrid wouldn’t touch him with a barge pole. 40m. Ha ha. has pace and a bit of skill but no football brain what so ever
Hes been found out. A nothing player.
I love how UNited fans are so tribal that they will rubbish a young player just because they play for Liverpool. The guy is only 20 and obviously not a nothing player.
Why don’t you think with your head instead of being a fool.
Rory, are you a United fan?
He’s just turned 20, has scored 5 goals and 4 assist in a struggling liverpool team this year and hes a nothing player? You must be having a laugh
I am, and I rate Sterling fairly high. I was making a joke of the stupid qoute by dunphy about Gerrard, but applying it to Sterling.
We don’t do sarcasm on the score Rory.
The assumption that it is only United supporters that rubbish Liverpool is funny. Everyone thinks you are deluded fools and I suppose next year will be your year eh? Spoofer Rodgers and merry team of mediocrity has been found out.
Gerrard is right , he should stay at Liverpool, a mid table player for a mid table club sounds about right
One decent enough season and he is the next big thing and turning down €70,000 plus deals? Madness. If he doing it consistently for a few seasons and scoring regularly too then there can be talk of moving to a bigger club and £70,000 a week contracts.
Hope with all these games he will be playing he won’t be too tired to get to the bank to take out his money. Liverpool should be careful here. Give him big money on the back of one good season then what happens when he gets injured? already have sturridge stuck forever in the treatment room pulling down a massive wage. Player of his pace bad hamstring injury you could end up with another crock on your hands.
A good player but if I was spending 40 million on young talent he wouldnt be in my top 5. Pogba goetze isco barkley and varane all light years ahead of him in the same age bracket. Not to mention neymar but he is unbuyable. Sterling not as good as any of the above. Barkley will be one of the greatest midfielders to ever play in the premier league by the time he retires. If he could keep injury free you couldn’t go wrong with 40 mill spent there.
He’ll never be world class. It’s laughable to suggest it. Headless chicken comes to mind. Delusional pool supporters
Next time you are using the old Crystal ball can you get me next week’s lotto numbers?
Headless chicken? He carved united open a few times last Sunday easily enough. His main issue is that his left leg is about as sturdy as a wet weetabix
To be fair that’s no big deal these days.
Sterling isn’t anywhere near a world class player, he had one good season and now they think he is worth a fortune. 2 goals against Bournemouth yet 3 days before he couldn’t score against United.
He should learn from Gerards mistakes and leave in fairness.
What was Gerards mistake? A one club player, not a bad thing. He may not have won the league, but he did win almost everything else….
He should have gone in all honestly Graham, if he went to Chelsea when he had the chance he would have a lot more of a haul. One club is great and all that, but if you want to win you have to move.
Other circumstances may have held Liverpool back, terrible running of the club. Yes, it would be nice to see him win more, but his heart was Liverpool, cannot fault the guy. Chelsea are only as good as long as Roman is around….. you cannot win heritage….
Oh wow. He ran rings around the United defence. That’s nothing to be writing home about. What people will remember is how he bottled it. He wouldn’t finish his dinner. Overrated waster.