Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler says on Raheem Sterling should stay at Liverpool despite the fact that he has informed the club of his wish to leave and has rejected an extension.
It is understood that he wants to move to London while Manchester City have had two bids rejected.
But Fowler believes that the young Englishman is making a mistake by wanting to leave Liverpool and that he can still salvage his Anfield career and win over the fans if he chooses to stay.
Man City may well offer more money per week but Fowler reckons the 20-year-old should think about what is best for his career rather than his finances.
“It’s obvious Raheem has been confused by what’s happened over the last few months, but I still believe the right thing for his development is to stay, and I hope for his sake he can somehow see that,” Fowler told The Mirror.
“I still think there is time to back away from this. These things seem to get a momentum and you think you have no options, but if he were to take a step back and find a way of staying at Liverpool, I think the fans would embrace that.”
Fowler, who spent nine years in two spells at Liverpool, is adamant that Anfield is the best place for Sterling to continue his development.
He also cites previous examples of young England talents going to the Etihad and seeing their career halted as another reason for Sterling to stay.
The 40-year-old added: “He’d be crazy to go at this stage in his development, surely he can see how much the manager has got out of him already, and can develop him even more?
“One of things you have to think about as a young player is which managers have a track record of developing emerging talent. [Liverpool manager] Brendan Rodgers has proved he has, but have City shown any capacity to do that?
“Sometimes it’s difficult to see things clearly in these situations, but if Raheem looks back on this whole episode when he’s older, I reckon he’ll think the same.
“You have to do what’s best for your career over the long term, and I think everyone in football believes it would be best for him if he stayed a bit longer.”
