Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Raheem Sterling is close to inking a new long-term contract with the club.

The 20-year-old, who has already featured in 81 Premier League matches for the Reds and scored 15 goals, still has over two years left to run on his current contract but has recently been linked with a move away from Anfield.

After enjoying a brilliant 2013-14 season, Sterling’s form dipped at the start of the current campaign but he has been close to his best of late and scored in Tuesday’s Capital One Cup semi-final first-leg draw with Chelsea.

“It is something the club are speaking with his representatives on and I would think that would be concluded very imminently,” said Rodgers.

“The player is very happy. It (the delay) is nothing to do with Raheem, he wants to be here so hopefully we get the solution on that very soon.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers thinks his side can challenge for the Premier League title once again next season after admitting a top-four finish would be an achievement this term.

Liverpool finished second last season but are currently eighth, five points behind fourth-placed Manchester United after losing star striker Luis Suarez to Barcelona.

Rodgers added: “The reality for us this season was, could we finish in the top four? With so many changes we weren’t going to challenge for the league. We were looking to win a trophy and then come next summer we will be ready to challenge for the title again.”

Liverpool face Bolton in an FA Cup fourth-round tie this weekend and are 1.29 to win while Neil Lennon’s side are 8.80 to triumph at Anfield.