With two contract offers already rejected, Liverpool and Raheem Sterling’s situation is somewhat up in the air. The youngster is currently in the last 18 months of his deal at Anfield, and with top teams lurking, something will have to give before long.And, at long last, there seems to be some good news, with reports suggesting that a breakthrough with the 20-year-old has been made. However, it could cost the club up to £125,000-per-week to secure the versatile attacker, which is mad money for a player of his age. However, we think they have to do it... and here are FIVE reasons why.

Liverpool’s main threat right now

Leading the way at Liverpool in terms of games, goals, shots, chances created and dribbles, Sterling is undoubtedly the key man at Liverpool right now. The 20-year-old has been at the very heart of all that club have been doing of late, and was one of the few players performing well through the stuttering Autumn of 2014. Liverpool’s massively improved form this year came when he was shifted up front ahead of Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli – despite not being a striker – with his runs, positioning and strength having all been vital.

Cannot afford to lose key players when Gerrard is going

With the captain leaving, Liverpool are set for a massive change, both on and off the pitch. Gerrard has already agreed a deal to sign for MLS champions LA Galaxy, heading into a state of semi-retirement in California, and despite his fading powers on the turf, his exit will leave a gaping hole in Brendan Rodgers’ team.

So, to lose another key man at the same time – which could potentially happen with Sterling’s deal set to be 12 months from expiration this summer – could be catastrophic when Liverpool are striving to recover and build a new identity. He may be young, but the Jamaican-born England international is already the fulcrum of this Reds team, and could potentially be that for the next five years at least.

He’s earned it

“Liverpool have got to get Raheem Sterling’s contract situation sorted.

“I don’t think there’ll be a problem with Jordan Henderson but I think they need to address the Sterling issue.

“We’ve seen in the past before when these players haven’t signed new deals and you don’t want that happening again.

“When you see Steven Gerrard coming out and saying: “Get them tied up” he’s spot on.

“Sterling warrants a new contract for what he’s done. I’m sure that the club will do that – they have to do it.”

The words of John Aldridge who, as a hero at Anfield, has some clout. To be fair he has a point, admittedly £125,000-per-week is madness for a 20-year-old in any other line of work, but with football existing in an almost parallel universe where players such as Ashley Young are handed millions of pounds, Sterling warrants a big wage for his talent. And with Liverpool not in a strong position to negotiate – their league challenge is gone, the top four is evading their grasp and they need to keep key players – the youngster holds all the aces.

Can play anywhere

This season alone, Sterling has played on each flank as a winger, in the centre of an attacking midfield three as the ‘No. 10’, up front as an all-out striker and even at right wing-back. That’s some going, especially for a young player.

His level of footballing intelligence makes the shift from each zone smooth for Sterling, who has often been moved around during 90 minute games to play in three different areas of the pitch. With versatility and the ability to drift around key in a Rodgers team, the former QPR trainee is clearly a player the Northern Irishman can rely upon.

Has the potential to be sold for mega money

It’s a sad reality for Liverpool, but the Merseyside club is no longer the long-term pull it was for top players. The Reds cannot compete financially with the game’s modern superpowers, cannot offer the same aims of top level trophies and are firmly establishing themselves in a ‘money-ball’ niche, meaning that Sterling could become the next man – after Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez – to leave for a massive fee.

Gareth Bale cost £86m not so long ago, and a similar sum for a player of Sterling’s quality and potential is not out of the question if he’s tied down to a long-term deal.