adminJOHN BARNES has urged Raheem Sterling to stay at Liverpool for years. The 19-year-old flying winger is poised to sign a new deal to secure his long-term future at Anfield.
Sterling will be handed a treble-your-money £125,000-a-week contract. He is currently on £43,000-a-week.
It brings an end to speculation he could join Real Madrid or Paris St-Germain – a move that will delight Kop legend Barnes.
Barnes, speaking on behalf of Vauxhall, the England team sponsor, said: “His future should be at Liverpool.
“He’s still a very young player and he hasn’t maximised his potential yet.
“It’ll be four or five years until he can really be classed as a world-class superstar player.
“In England, and we’ve seen the same with Ross Barkley, it takes six good games and all of a sudden you’re a world-class player – but it’s not right.
“He’s got great potential and of course I’d like him to stay at Liverpool.
“Although modern footballers do seem to come and go, why would you want to leave Liverpool? For what reason?
“You’re playing for a high-level fantastic side and it’s important not to look too long term at that age.” – dailystar.co.uk
Online Reporter