First-team coach Mike Marsh, who helped nurture Sterling’s talent when he worked at Liverpool’s Academy, believes the club are able to offer the teenager a unique opportunity.

“The decision on whether to sign a new contract or not, is up to Raheem,” said Marsh.

“But he is in a good place here and is playing in the Premier League on a regular basis and at 18-years of age there are other teams that can offer him that position.

“He is already an international at 18 and so the next step for him to take is to be at that level on a consistent basis.”

Liverpool’s former director of football, Damien Comolli, has echoed Marsh’s sentiments, saying: “My advice would be sign the contract and stay at Liverpool unless there is something which makes him really uncomfortable.

“We tried to look after Raheem as much as we could – he was really a long-term project – and I think he should commit.

“I really don’t think money should be an issue. He is 18 and it is going to be one of many contracts he is going to sign and he is going to end up being a wealthy individual.

“The important contract, if you are money-orientated, is the one you sign when you are 31 not 18.”

Marsh, who is helping prepare the squad for Saturday’s home game with Fulham, is another who has been promoted under the new regime at Liverpool.

This summer, the 43-year-old was moved from his role as under-18’s manager at the Academy in Kirkby to first-team coach at Melwood, working alongside Rodgers.