Rodgers: Raheem Sterling offered 'incredible deal' to stay at Liverpool
Brendan Rodgers is confident Raheem Sterling will extend his Liverpool contract but has warned the club will not be held to ransom over a new deal for the England winger.
Sterling's current deal expires in less than 18 months and the 20-year-old has yet to agree terms over a new contract despite months of negotiations.
And speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the visit of Tottenham on Tuesday, Liverpool boss Rodgers insisted Sterling has been offered an "incredible deal" by the club.
"I know in the case with Raheem is that he's been offered a wonderful deal for a young player who is 20 and is still developing," Rodgers said.
"He's made some great strides in the last couple of years but as I said he is now getting his reward for that and hopefully his representatives can find agreement with the club.
"The player is very happy and wants to continue working in the way that he has been.
"I'm only saying what I know the club has offered, which is an incredible deal for a young player. I have spoken to Raheem a number of times and he is very, very happy here and you see that in his game, in his play.
"What he's been granted at this football club is an opportunity, and we see that with a lot of young players, they get an opportunity to play here and also they get rewarded for that.
"But we're certainly not a club that's going to give out way, way above what a player is worth at a certain time in their career.
"It's not just a case of giving a player â any player and I'm not talking about Raheem here, I'm talking in general â what they want.
"I'm saying we want to reward our best talents. They are a big part of our future and as I said we are confident that is in hand and will be agreed very soon."
Last week, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard told Sky Sports that the club must make every effort to renew the contracts of Sterling and Jordan Henderson quickly.
Henderson's contract also expires at the end of next season and Rodgers is eager to tie down the England midfielder to a long-term contract with the club.
He added: "I think Steven is relaying the message that the club are obviously wanting as well that both players are very important for the future.
"Jordan is a fantastic player and he's shown his worth in his time here. Hopefully that deal will get organized soon and allow him to kick on with the next part of his development because he's still got a lot of improvements to make."
