Just in case you’ve been living under a rock for the past month or so, Raheem Sterling’s Liverpool future is far from clear. The 20-year-old is stalling on contract negotiations as he looks to keep his options open ahead of the summer transfer window and has already fluttered his eyelashes at Arsenal. Oh dear.

Even though he’s only 20, Sterling is currently the Reds’ top Premier League goalscorer with a tally of seven – which says a lot about the club’s attacking woes – and really is a vital cog despite his youth.

The Jamaican-born attacker has already suggested that the trophies and glory are a major factor in where his future will be, so Liverpool must show signs of kicking on this off-season if they’re to ensure they keep hold of their starlet… Here are FIVE potential additions to convince Sterling that Brendan Rodgers’ means business. [interaction ]

Memphis Depay

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19 league goals and he doesn’t even play as a striker… little wonder that Liverpool are looking at Memphis Depay. The Reds are reportedly willing to pay between £18m - £25m for the Netherlands international, who is currently the Eredivisie’s leading scorer and is likely to be the major factor in wrestling the title from Ajax’s grasp to place it firmly in PSV Eindhoven’s embrace.

Although it could be argued that Depay would be a direct competitor for Sterling’s spot in the Reds’ XI, having more options and another outlet would ease the pressure on the England international, who has been relied upon to a level beyond that his age warrants by Brendan Rodgers over the course of the past two years.

Alexandre Lacazette

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With Daniel Sturridge having been out of action for over five months of the season, Liverpool have been very short on goals. Sterling has stepped up to net seven in the Premier League, but the pressure of leading the line is a lot for a youngster to carry on his shoulders while playing in said position doesn’t truly suit his style.

Rodgers attempted to address attacking concerns with the signings of Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert last summer, but the pair are so ill-suited to his system that they’re perennial bench warmers now. Alexandre Lacazette, however, appears to be made for the Merseysiders’ style, with his pace, movement and versatility all excellent. 24 goals in 27 Ligue 1 games for Lyon is a stunning tally, too, and proves that he should be able to offer an alternative to Sturridge if signed.

Petr Cech

It must be demoralising for attacking players to look behind them and see constant errors undoing their work. Although Simon Mignolet has improved in 2015, the first half of the season appears to have done unrepairable damage to top four aspirations at Anfield, with the Belgian’s error-laden displays a massive factor.

Petr Cech is a certain upgrade on Mignolet, and is believed to be available to any club this summer. The 32-year-old is experienced, commanding and would bring a new level of confidence to Rodgers’ backline.

Dani Alves

Glen Johnson looks to be on his way when his contract expires this summer, and with little in the way of replacements at Anfield now, Sterling could be forced to step into a right-back or right wing-back role again next term. The attacker has been deployed in a more defensive position in front of a back three on multiple occasions, and although he’s performed admirably, being in that area of the pitch stops him from doing the things he does best.

Barcelona’s Dani Alves is the definition of an attack-minded full-back, and links with a free move to Anfield have been doing the rounds. He’s 31 and will command big wages, but he’ll add another dimension to Liverpool’s game.

Miralem Pjanic

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Liverpool have made a habit of losing big name players in recent seasons –Luis Suarez being the last – and they’ll do so again in a few months’ time with Steven Gerrard due to switch to LA Galaxy. Although they’re not technically selling and indeed let him make the free move shows that he’s perhaps not needed anymore at the age of 34, but missing their skipper could be an issue.

Jordan Henderson is likely to take the armband from his vice-captain role, but replacing Gerrard’s passing from the middle of the pitch is an area yet to be addressed. Miralem Pjanic of Roma has been mooted as a possible solution, and carries the sort of reputation that would suggest that the Reds mean business.