LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, December 9, 2014: Liverpool's Raheem Sterling looks dejected against FC Basel during the final UEFA Champions League Group B match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

“Misguided” Raheem Sterling “doing Liverpool a disservice” says former Red

Raheem Sterling is being “misguided” and as a result “doing Liverpool a disservice” as contract negotiations rumble on, according to former Reds star Jason McAteer.

The latest, albeit tenuous reports, in the Sterling contract saga came to light on Monday, with Neil Ashton of the Daily Mail suggesting the 20-year-old is about to say no to a £180,000 a week offer.

Earlier this month Brendan Rodgers explained to press that talks with Sterling and his representatives had been put on hold until the summer as we approach the business end of the season.

However, with no resolution over the England international’s future, many Liverpool fans will be feeling increasingly anxious about Sterling’s long-term future at Anfield.

Speaking on talkSPORT on Monday, McAteer said, “It’s stop-start on these contract negotiations. It’s a little bit messy. It looks like [Raheem Sterling] is holding out for something.

“You know how the football world works, someone will be in his ear telling him this and that. I think he’s just got to knuckle down and let his performances do the talking.

“Liverpool is the right place for him, certainly for the next two or three seasons where he’s going to develop and play every week in the first team. He’s under a good manager and it’s a good young team as well.

“There are rumours of him going to Barcelona or Real Madrid, but then it’s all about a culture change.

“I just think he’s being misguided somewhere along the line. The club and Brendan will be telling him all the right things.

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“Brendan is a good young coach with great ideas who has worked with youngsters before. He’s a good man manager as well and Liverpool is a massive club.

“I think he’s doing them a disservice by saying he wants to leave because Liverpool are on the up.”