John Aldridge urges Raheem Sterling to stay at Liverpool

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has urged Raheem Sterling to sign a contract extension with the club.

The 20-year-old is currently stalling over a new deal at Anfield, despite reportedly being offered around £100,000 per week.

Despite some uncertainty over the England international's future, Aldridge believes that Sterling needs to realise quickly that staying at Anfield would be the best move for his career.

"I hope and I pray that Raheem Sterling sees sense over his contract situation at Liverpool," he told the Liverpool Echo. "And I hope he, or someone close to him, has a word with his agent, because he is doing the kid no favours.

"Those closest to him need to spell it out for him. The best place for him to be is at Liverpool, who have looked after him so well over the last four or five years. Liverpool have developed him into this player. Both Sterling, and his agent, need to realise this. And quickly."

Manchester City and Chelsea are both understood to be monitoring Sterling's contract situation on Merseyside.