Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says securing Raheem Sterling on a lengthy new contract is important for the future of the club.

Sterling, 18, is set to agree what is believed to be a five-year £40k-a-week deal before the weekend.

Rodgers said: "Hopefully Sterling's contract will be concluded within the next 24 hours. There was never a real issue, it was just a matter of timing and we hope that over the next couple of days, that can be completed. We need to keep our young players."