Raheem Sterling and Liverpool are locked in contract negotiations. Brendan Rodgers has suggested that the young winger has rejected a, staggering, £100,000-a-week offer.

The manager has recently stated that he doesn’t think the two parties will come to an agreement before the end of the season.

Does the 20-year-old deserve the kind of lucrative contract he is after?

Currently on £35,000-a-week, it is without question that the Sterling is currently on a wage that doesn’t suit his current standing, both within the squad at Liverpool and the wider scene of English football.

With the wingers’ blistering form, he has arguably taken on the mantle of Liverpool’s key man. One left vacant after the departure of influential striker Luis Suarez. The Merseysiders are without doubt a better team with Sterling in it, than without him. That is the reason he is now demanding such extortionate wages.

The situation is reminiscent of Theo Walcott’s negotiations with Arsenal in 2013. At the time Walcott was head and shoulders, the most influential player at the club, thus meaning he could request the kind of wages that made him one of the best paid players at the club.

Sterling has Liverpool in a similar situation, he holds all the cards. Rodgers knows he can scarcely lose the winger, especially with Suarez’s departure still at the forefront of many fans’ minds. Gerrard’s imminent departure also means that Raheem Sterling will be one of the leaders of a new era at Anfield.

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With Bayern Munich and Real Madrid being some of his potential suitors, the money on offer, for him to be leave Liverpool will be substantially more than he is currently on and arguably a lot more than they are willing to offer.

Sterling is at a point in his career, where he needs to make a decision for future. Liverpool, at this point seems to be the perfect place for his development. Rodgers seems to understand the England international and is beginning to develop the player in several roles, ironically making him an even more viable purchase for the elite clubs in Europe.

At the same time as the player himself, the club must make a decision. How highly do they rate Raheem? He can potentially be the future of the club, the man to spearhead them to successes. There offers to the player, suggest they are willing to heavily invest in their man.

The ball is now in Sterling’s court.

The men in charge at Liverpool, clearly understand that Sterling is a vital component to the future of the club. However, a club of their stature should not be held ransom by a 20-year-old, with still a lot to prove. The offer they have put out, is more than many players of his age could command. If he is unwilling to agree, Rodgers should stick to his convictions.

As a young player, still making his way in the game, playing for Liverpool, for however much money, is a better career move than sitting on the bench at the Bernebau or the Allianz.

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