Rodgers 'not surprised' by Real Madrid and Bayern Munich's interest in Liverpool star
Posted Thursday, December 18, 2014 by Talksport.co.uk
Brendan Rodgers is not surprised by the reported interest in Raheem Sterling but the Liverpool boss is confident the starlet will commit his long-term future to the Merseyside club.
The 20-year-old, whose current contract expires in 2017, has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal despite extensive talks between Reds chiefs and his representatives.
Eueopean champions Real Madrid are understood to be monitoring his situation, while German giants Bayern Munich have also been linked with a swoop for the England international.
Liverpool can ill-afford to lose their next potential world-class star following the departure of striker Luis Suarez to Barcelona in the summer, but Rodgers is remaining relaxed about the situation.
"Hopefully it is not going to be the case. We are trying to build something here," said Rodgers, under pressure after a poor start to the season.
"We were on a path for a couple of years and we have had to come off that path since the summer having lost some players and have had to regroup."
"He is a real talisman for this team. He has been a great example of the progress that a lot of the players have made here."
"He has gone from a youth team player to one of the top young players in European football."
"The club, I am sure, will work very hard (on his contract) and Raheem is happy here, he loves being a Liverpool player."
"I am sure between them and the representatives we can get a deal done which will see him go on to continue to develop what is an exciting career."
"I will never be surprised teams will be linked with Raheem as he is such a big talent at 20, a wonderful young player, but I am quite relaxed about it."
Sterling came in for criticism at the weekend after missing numerous chances in the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United.
But Rodgers insists the youngster is not being affected by the debate over his future.
"I think Raheem has been brilliant, absolutely outstanding," added Rodgers, ahead of a crucial Capital One Cup quarter-final at Championship leaders Bournemouth.
"The kid's played in a front role for me at the weekend - a role he has played before as a youngster - but I don't think it is affecting him one bit."
"Okay he maybe could have got a goal or so but he puts defenders on the back foot, he is intelligent in his game, has running ability, and is getting himself into some wonderful positions."
"The kid has been a real catalyst for us in terms of our attacking threat so I don't think there is anything which has affected him."
"He leaves his representatives to work with the club to hopefully organise the deal for him and he has no real influence in that."
"All I ask him to do is concentrate on playing football and the performances will come and he has shown consistently he has been a real threat."
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