Raheem Sterling's standout performances for Liverpool last season is finally being acknowledged as the Reds are reportedly ready to offer him a new five-year contract, which will see his wages rise to £100,000-a-week.
The 19-year-old, who currently earns £35,000-a-week at Anfield, is expected to pen the new bumper deal as soon as the World Cup finishes, reports the Daily Mail.
Liverpool know that Sterling will attract a lot of interest from other clubs, if he manages to shine at the World Cup this summer. And hence, the Reds are now set to offer him an improved contract, in order to discourage him from contemplating a move away.
Sterling, who was in excellent form during Liverpool's Premier League title challenge last season - scoring nine and assisting five goals from 33 appearances, has been tipped to do well with England in Brazil this summer.
Meanwhile, Three Lions head coach Roy Hodgson says he is still not sure about Sterling's position for the World Cup.
The Liverpool star was impressive against Peru after coming on as a substitute for Wayne Rooney in the 66th minute. The teenager was initially asked to play behind the striker, before being moved to the left wing.
And Hodgson admits he is still trying to find the best position for Sterling.
"Not yet - but it would be foolish to say that, wouldn't it. Friday was only his third appearance and it would be stupid for me to say on the basis of just a few minutes, 'this is his best position'. I'm not even certain I want Raheem Sterling to have a best position necessarily. I want Raheem to be able to play in the position where we need him," the Daily Star quoted Hodgson as saying.
"On Friday we thought it would be good to bring him on initially in the position behind the front player, Danny Welbeck, where we've seen him play well. But then we wanted to bring Ross Barkley on so we moved him wide and he did okay there. He's a good player and I'm sure he's going to be a very big player for England going forward as well."
