Sterling would be lost at Real Madrid or Barcelona - Barnes - 7M sport

Sterling would be lost at Real Madrid or Barcelona - Barnes



Posted Saturday, February 21, 2015 by Goal.com

Sterling would be lost at Real Madrid or Barcelona - Barnes

The England international is in talks with Liverpool over a possible contract extension and the former winger has urged him to remain at Anfield for at least three years

John Barnes has warned Raheem Sterling that he may "get lost to the game" if he decides to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Sterling has been in fine form in recent weeks, with three goals in his last seven appearances helping the Reds rediscover their edge following an indifferent start to the 2014-15 season.

The England international has been in talks with the club over extending his current contract, which runs until 2017, and chairman Tom Werner remains confident Sterling will commit his future to the club.

Barnes has now urged Sterling to remain at Anfield until at least 2018, as he fears the winger may end up following in the footsteps of Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair if he rushes into a move.

"If I was Raheem Sterling I would stay with Liverpool for the next three years," he told Hinch.as.

"I've seen it with other young players, a lot to do with their agents, a lot to do with the money they have been offered, that they rush off to big clubs.

"Of course Liverpool is a big club, but the temptation must be to go to Real Madrid or Barcelona or wherever, but the danger is that you can be lost to the game, and I can give you so many examples, like Jack Rodwell who went too early to Manchester City and Scott Sinclair who also went to Manchester City.

"With all due respect to clubs like that, they might turn out to be worse for them, and they end up going back and then not getting a move again.

"I would advise young players not to rush, but to stay at their clubs until they are 23 or 24.

"I went to Liverpool at the age of 23 by which time I was a 35-cap international players who could handle it.

"Raheem Sterling going to Real Madrid probably won't play every week, probably will play under enormous pressure to perform as a £50 million superstar, whereas at Liverpool the fans will accept that he doesn't play well all the time.

"I would urge him and players like [Everton's] Ross Barkley to stay where they are, and move clubs in three or four years time."



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