Former England captain Alan Shearer believes that Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has only strengthened the hand of Raheem Sterling's agent by lauding the forward.
Rodgers has continually claimed that Sterling is the best young player in Europe and regularly praises the England international as "outstanding" after games.
Sterling has turned down a new contract offer worth £100,000 per week from Liverpool and has put talks on an extension on hold until the end of the season.
The forward claims that he is not motivated by money, but by winning trophies, in the process implying he must consider whether Liverpool offer the best platform to do that.
For Shearer, Sterling made a mistake by admitting to turning down the big-money contract offer. But he also feels Rodgers has encouraged the youngster's position by lauding him.
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"Firstly, it's incredibly bad advice to give to a 20-year-old to say: 'Go on TV and say that it's not about the money, but then admit that you've turned down £100,000 a week.' It alienates the fans", Shearer told the BBC.
"Secondly, the situation has been compounded by Brendan Rodgers saying that he's the best young player in Europe.
"With the TV deal coming in, his agents will sit back and say: 'Well, make him the best-paid young player in Europe.'
"And thirdly, it raises questions about the contract policy at Anfield. Steven Gerrard said that if he'd been offered a contract earlier, he would have signed.
"Sterling has said the same this week, and Jordan Henderson's got one year left on his contract", Shearer added.
Sterling played for Liverpool in their 4-1 defeat to Arsenal yesterday and Rodgers said of the youngster after the match: "I thought he was excellent today and our best player."
The young England international has been linked with a whole host of clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
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