Liverpool defender Kolo Toure has had his say on the Raheem Sterling debate at the moment, being quoted in the Liverpool Echo as urging the youngster to stay put at Anfield.
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The England winger is currently stalling on signing a new contract at Anfield, with Premier League rivals Manchester City and Arsenal mentioned as possible suitors for the highly-rated 20-year-old.
Sterling has risen to stardom in the last year or so after being given his chance in the Liverpool first-team by manager Brendan Rodgers, and Toure believes he should stay with the Reds if he wants to guarantee himself games and the chance to keep on developing and improving as a player.
The Ivory Coast centre-back used former City team-mates Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair as examples of young English players who moved to the Etihad Stadium and then weren’t used by the club, seeing their careers majorly stall in Manchester.
“I’m not surprised there’s speculation because everybody would want to have a player like him,” Toure said.
“But he needs to stay here. Liverpool is a great place for him.
“This is a massive club and he has a manager who believes in him. There’s a lot more to come from Raheem and he needs to be in an environment where he can really express himself.
“If he went to another club there would be big challenges he would face. He wouldn’t be the most important player.
“Both Rodwell and Sinclair went to a club where there is big competition and didn’t play.
“If Raheem left Liverpool he wouldn’t be sure to start games. Make a mistake or don’t score for two games and he will be on the bench. There is no messing at clubs like that.
“Raheem is still only 20 and this is the best place for him to continue learning.”