Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Raheem Sterling is set to sign a new contract within the next 24 hours.

As exclusively revealed by Goal.com, the Reds youngster is on the brink of penning a five-year deal which is expected to begin with a weekly wage of £30,000.

Speculation had been mounting that the young England international could move away from Anfield, but Rodgers has now confirmed that a new deal has been agreed and should be signed within the next day.

The Liverpool boss told reporters: “Hopefully that will be concluded within the next 24 hours.

“I have said before that 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 complete.

“We were always calm. I speak a lot with Raheem and his representatives and there has never been any issues from their side. It was just making sure that we take care in terms of the financial and football plan for the player.”

Sterling has come on leaps and bounds in the few months since the season started, and has evolved from a promising youth player to an integral part of Rodgers’ first team, having also appeared for the national team.

The Liverpool boss is adamant that Anfield is the ideal environment for the winger to continue in his development, with him only having turned 18 in November.

“This was about a young player who has rocketed from playing in the youth teams and the reserves into becoming a full England international, so a lot has happened in his young life and it was just about making sure that there was that protection for him going forward,” Rodgers explained.

“I have always been confident that this was going to be the best place for him. The kid is very focused and devoted to Liverpool. His representatives know this is the best place for him.

“Once it gets concluded, he can start the next part of his development and hopefully he can keep progressing.”