10 Feb 2015

Liverpool table "incredible deal" for young gun

11:28 am on 10 February 2015

The Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says the club has offered young forward Raheem Sterling "an incredible deal" to stay for the foreseeable future.

Raheem Sterling of Liverpool in action.

Raheem Sterling of Liverpool in action. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The 20-year-old Sterling, who has made 112 appearances for the club, is now a regular starter with nine goals in 33 appearances this season, but there has been considerable speculation he is being courted by top Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona.

"He has been offered a wonderful deal, an incredible deal for a young player of 20 who is still developing," Rodgers says.

"He has made some great strides in the last couple of years and he should now get the reward for that and I hope his representatives can find agreement with the club."

Rodgers says he's spoken to Sterling several times and believes he is happy and wants to stay.

"It is not just a case of giving any player what they want," he says. "I am saying we want to reward our best talents, they are a big part of our future and I am confident that will all be agreed very soon."

Rodgers also hopes that 19-year-old winger Jordon Ibe, who made his first Premier League start for Liverpool in the goalless Merseyside derby against Everton on Sunday, will sign a new deal at Anfield.

Seventh-placed Liverpool take on fifth-placed Tottenham this week, who are on a high after their 2-1 win over Arsenal in the north London derby.