Friday 19 December 2014 13:57, UK
Raheem Sterling should commit his long-term future to Liverpool and become an Anfield great, according to Steven Gerrard.
The 20-year-old is in talks over an extension to his current deal, which still has more than two years to run, but so far there has been no agreement.
Some of Europe's richest clubs have been linked with the England forward, whose performance as a central striker against Bournemouth in the the Capital One Cup reminded Gerrard of Liverpool's most prolific goalscorers of recent years.
And ahead of the Super Sunday game against Arsenal, Anfield's one-club captain said: "I think this club is perfect for him, certainly for the next few years. He's going to play most weeks and the fans love him here.
"He can progress here and become a top, top player so I hope the people around him give him the right advice - he should stay.
"He's great to watch and great to play with. 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.
"Raheem's got the potential to be top drawer, for sure."
Brendan Rogers insists he is relaxed over Sterling's contract situation, and the manager said this week: "I don’t think there’s any way there’s anything affecting him.
"He’s the type of boy who leaves his representatives to work with the club in order to hopefully organise the deal. He has no real influence in that.
"The club I’m sure will work very hard. Raheem’s happy here and loves being a Liverpool player. I’m sure between them and the representatives that we can get a deal done that sees him go on and continue to develop what is an exciting career."
Watch Liverpool v Arsenal live on Super Sunday this weekend. Kick-off at Anfield is at 4pm.
