Raheem Sterling will sign long-term Liverpool contract - Rodgers

Raheem Sterling

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers expects teenage star Raheem Sterling to commit his long-term future to the Premier League club.

Sterling, 17, recently made his England debut after a series of impressive performances for the Reds this season.

The ex-QPR youngster has 18 months left to run on his current Anfield deal.

"We want him to continue to grow," said Rodgers. "Why would you want to leave one of the biggest clubs in world football? So it's a no brainer."

The Northern Irishman insists Sterling is "in a real good place" to achieve his career ambitions.

He added: "He will tie himself to a new contract because he wants to be here and he can be a great here at this football club."

Sterling has been linked with a move away from Anfield, with Arsenal rumoured to be interested in signing the Jamaica-born player.

Sterling had not started a senior match for Liverpool before this season, but has forced his way into Rodgers' first-team plans and responded with one goal and four assists in 11 Premier League starts.

It led to England coach Roy Hodgson, who has described Sterling's rise as "meteoric", starting him in the 4-2 friendly defeat in Sweden last week.

He returned to domestic action by creating two goals for Luis Suarez in Liverpool's 3-0 win over Premier League rivals Wigan on Saturday - leading to further speculation about his future.

"He has been given an opportunity here this season and he is thriving on it and enjoying the work," Rodgers told Liverpool's official club website.

"He is so bright and so sharp and what I like now is that you are seeing that little bit of arrogance with the ball.

"He knows he has a lot to learn and a lot to improve on, but you see him and Luis Suarez combining better in each game and that is a tribute to them and how hard they are working on the training ground.

"If you play as a front player your job is simple: it is either to score goals or create goals and then you function defensively.

"The kid has been brilliant. We just have to nurture that."