Sterling price for Liverpool exit: Chelsea, Arsenal, City ready

Liverpool could lose their new wonderkid Raheem Sterling unless they offer him a new contract next month.

The 17-year old mercurial forward – the best Liverpool player by far so far – has fuelled speculation about his future by withdrawing a tweet that was meant to reassure Anfield fans.

Sterling, who will become the country’s third youngest international in 100 years if he makes his debut against Sweden on Wednesday night, sent out mixed messages on Twitter by claiming he was going to sign a new deal on his 18th birthday next month - then removing the message.

It followed claims that his advisers were asking Liverpool for £50,000 a week, bringing him in line with England internationals Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson, both being kept out of the first-team by Sterling, according to the Daily Mail (https://bit.ly/RsQalz).

He tweeted that his reported demands were wide of the mark, saying: "I’ve just woken up to this rubbish. I can assure you I’ve not asked for that stupid amount, where (sic) waiting till I’m 18 to sign." The message was quickly removed.

Picked up from QPR at 15, Sterling’s current £2,000-a-week contract has 18 months to run.

The second youngest Liverpool player to score in the top flight, Sterling will get a chance to showcase his prodigious talent in Sunday's big game against Chelsea.

The likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United will also be watching his contract negotiations at Anfield with interest.

Rodgers revealed that talks with Sterling had been ongoing for months but there may be progress once he turns 18 on December 8.

"There will be something but there’s no need to rush it," said Rodgers. "He has become a very talented young man in the space of four months, so he and his representatives and family know our thoughts on him and we just want to make sure his concentration is on his football."
 

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