Rodgers in Raheem row with Real and PSG

This is one headache that Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers could do without. Arguably his best young player this season, Raheem Sterling, is the subject of attention from two top teams, both willing to match his weekly wage demands of £100k.

Both PSG and Real Madrid are reportedly tracking the attacker, and if history shows anything, it is that Los Blancos President, Florentino Perez always gets his man eventually.

Sterling only agreed a new deal for £30k per week 18 months ago, however for a full and established international, these are significantly low. The 19-year-old has helped to slightly ease the pain of losing Luis Suarez in the summer, and for him to follow would be a blow for everyone associated with the club, who are 11/10 to achieve a top four finish.

Rodgers, however, insists the situation is under control and that the player is happy on Merseyside: “It’s not a big issue for us.

“Ian Ayre (Liverpool’s chief executive) has spoken with his representatives and he is quite relaxed,” continued Rodgers.

“The club is dealing with the agent so everything is calm and the boy is remarkably happy here and there are no secondary thoughts about anything else other than continuing to play for Liverpool.”

When asked if he thought Sterling wanted to stay at Liverpool, the Northern Irish manager was confident regarding the situation, adding: “Yes. Absolutely adamant. His agent is a good agent and he understands this is the perfect place for him.”

The Reds appear to be gradually gelling, after a summer of upheaval in the transfer window, which witnessed no less than eight players arrive at the club, following the departure of Suarez. After a slow start they appear to be clicking into place, though it is personnel that were crucial to their campaign last term who have led by example.

Sterling set up Jordan Henderson’s goal against West Bromwich Albion, whose performances have gone under the radar, though there have been suggestions that he could soon be offered a new contract, with the 24-year-old inside the final two years of his current £40k-per-week deal.