Apparently, we've made an inquiry
Liverpool news: Brendan Rodgers hits out at role of Raheem Sterling advisersManager questions role of young star's agent in contract dispute, as Anfield side get ready to fend off Premier League suitors
By Jason Burt
10:17PM BST 04 Apr 2015
Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he has told Raheem Sterling face-to-face that the player will not be leaving Liverpool this summer - and went on to question the role of the 20-year-old's advisers during his contract dispute with the club.
It came after Liverpool's 4-1 defeat away to Arsenal, which Sterling started, and after which Rodgers admitted he had given up hope of his side finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League.
Failure to do so might lead to Sterling pushing for a move, given he has effectively questioned whether Liverpool are capable of matching his ambition, but it is understood the club will resist offers from other Premier League clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester United.
United are believed to have already made an informal inquiry about Sterling and asked to be kept informed of developments, but it would take an offer of more than £50million for Liverpool's resolve to be tested. The England international has two more years left on his present contract after this season.
Rodgers remained adamant that Sterling would stay at Liverpool and reminded him and his agent, Aidy Ward, that he was the manager who had given him his chance.
"I've had a good chat with him," Rodgers said of Sterling, who gave a controversial interview to the BBC in midweek - which was not authorised by the club - in which he stated his reasons for currently rejecting a new £100,000-a-week deal.
"I have given him my opinion on it," Rodgers added. "This is a young kid who has been advised to do something else. A 20-year-old boy does not pick up the phone to ask to speak to the BBC.
"You don't do that and him in particular. He just wants to play his football. But, of course, if he's asked to do that by other parties then that's what he'll do."
Rodgers admitted he was frustrated by the contract impasse, with talks now expected to reconvene this summer, and added: "In the modern game it is obviously something that frustrates us all but it is the market and where football is at.
"In fairness to Raheem, I brought him in from the youth team and the reserves and I know that a big part of this is actually nothing to do with him. This is a kid that is really focused on his football.
"There's no change and he works hard every single day. And you see from today, he just wants to play his football."
Asked whether he had an issue with Sterling's agent, Rodgers responded: "In my time in coaching there are a lot of very, very good agents.
"The only thing I would say on Raheem's situation is that anyone can see that for his football development and financially, Liverpool Football Club is the best place for him.
"There is absolutely no question of that. He has had the opportunity to play, which is key for a young player.
"It is the model of Liverpool, which the owners have put in, where they want to create the world-class talent. And Raheem has been brought in at 17 years of age and I deemed him worthy enough to be a regular and in the last two and half years he's proven that."
Rodgers dismissed Sterling's concern, expressed in his BBC interview, that he had been played out-of-position.
"He has played in a number of positions which has improved him tactically, become more tactically aware, technically improved," Rodgers said.
"And the opportunity to play is critical for a young player like him. He has just turned 20. There is still a long way for him to go and he has a lot of potential.
"I believe that will be developed over the next coming years at Liverpool.
"It is the job of his advisors to look at the possibilities might be beyond that. But he has two and a half years left and won't be going anywhere in the summer - that's for sure.
"And we'll sit down again with the club and his representatives to hopefully find the solution in the summer."
Liverpool are now seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, having played a game more, with Rodgers conceding a Champions League place is now unlikely.
"We will, I very much doubt, be in the top four come the end of the season," he said.
"We have too much ground to make up and have to concentrate on the FA Cup."
www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/11516452/Brendan-Rodgers-reveals-he-told-Raheem-Sterling-he-will-not-be-leaving-Liverpool.html______________________________________________________________________________________
Would like to know their answer.
They'd implode if Raheem was to tell them he wants a move to United!
