Liverpool legend John Barnes says Raheem Sterling should stay

Liverpool legend John Barnes says Raheem Sterling will be making a mistake if he leaves the club this summer.

Sterling was jeered by some fans as he accepted the supporters' young player of the year award at a ceremony on Merseyside on Tuesday evening.

The 20-year-old has indicated he is unlikely to accept an improved offer from Liverpool when he and his agent sit down for talks over his future later this month.

Sterling arrived at the ceremony with his partner and made a short acceptance speech, during which a few fans booed while others shouted 'stay Raheem'.

Barnes, who won two league titles, two FA Cups and a League Cup at Anfield between 1987-97, says it is too early for Liverpool's prized asset to think of moving on.

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ he said: "I think he has every right, if he chooses, to leave Liverpool. I'm not talking from a point of view of anger, but from the point of view, who does he think he is wanting to leave Liverpool? He decides what he wants to decide.

"I think it would be the wrong move for him from a playing perspective because I don't think he's ready to move to Manchester City or Real Madrid or any of these other clubs, because I don't think he's going to play regularly.

"I don't think it'll be the right footballing move but if he decides, if he wants to, you can't keep unhappy players.
Champions League football or not playing regularly, is that what's it about? Not for me, particularly for a young player.

"We've seen Jack Rodwell leave Everton, in my opinion, too soon and Sinclair go to Manchester City and where are they now? So I think for young players you have to show a level of consistency over four of five years before you can then be judged as a £50m-£60m player."

At the awards ceremony, playmaker Philippe Coutinho swept the board when named player of the season, players' player of the season, individual performance of the season before picking up the goal of the season award for his stuning 40-yard shot against Southampton in February.

Steven Gerrard, who departs Anfield this summer for LA Galaxy in the MLS, was presented by an outstanding achievement award for his services to the club.

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