Raheem Sterling should commit his long-term future to Liverpool, according to the club’s departing captain Steven Gerrard.

England international Sterling has refused to begin discussions with the club over a new deal until the end of the season but the uncertainty surrounding his future has seen the player’s form seemingly dip.

Questions have been raised on how committed the 20-year-old is to the Reds, with reports suggesting Real Madrid will offer the Jamaican-born star a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Gerrard, who will leave Liverpool when his contract runs out this summer to join MLS giants LA Galaxy, believes Sterling would be wise to continue under manager Brendan Rodgers, who he feels is the perfect coach to develop the youngster’s skills at Anfield.

He told Sky Sports: “In my opinion he should sign a new deal, but that’s something I can’t control.

“My advice to Raheem is he needs a manager who believes in him and will help coach him – and there’s no one better than Brendan Rodgers for that.

“Brendan is a fantastic man-manager. The danger is these younger players want it all too soon but they go to another club and become just another number.”

Sterling will be in action on Saturday in Gerrard’s final home game for Liverpool against Crystal Palace.

The Reds are 1.44 to win, 4.33 to draw and 7.00 to lose to the Eagles at Anfield.