Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has played down reports that Raheem Sterling is unhappy at the club and insisted that the forward will honour his contract, which still has two years left to run.
Rodgers was speaking at his weekly media briefing on Friday morning in the wake of an explosive interview conducted by the player’s agent, Aidy Ward, in which he claimed Sterling would not sign a new contract with Liverpool even if offered £900,000 per week.
Following those remarks, Liverpool cancelled planned talks with the player and his representative which were due to take place on Friday.
But despite the remarks, Rodgers says that he has no intention of selling arguably his most prized asset, and that he expected the player to honour the remainder of his contract.
“Raheem, whether there are talks or no talks, has two years left and I expect him to see that through,” the Liverpool manager said.
“I don’t see Raheem being unhappy. I’m sure talks will place over the course of the summer.
“Raheem will be available for selection. My relationship with him hasn’t been affected at all.
“It’s difficult to comment on what others speak about. Any meetings that take place here will be dealt with internally.”
Rodgers also said he had confidence in the club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, to make the right decision over Sterling’s future.
“They took over a club a number of years ago that was in a really critical situation and they have done an incredible job to stabilise the club and point it in the right direction,” he said.
“At every opportunity when they have had to show that strength – whether it be with a player or other elements of the club – they have done that. In this situation they will show that power and strength again.”
