Liverpool, May 17 (IANS): Jamaican born English professional footballer Raheem Sterling has been encouraged to sign a new contract with Liverpool after rejecting the club’s offer of a new deal.

Outgoing captain Steven Gerrard has encouraged Sterling to put pen to paper on a new contract with the club instead of moving to a new club, reports CMC.

Speaking at a farewell press conference at Liverpool's Melwood training ground on Saturday Gerrard said he believes Sterling's development as a player will be enhanced under manager Brendan Rodgers.

"I think he should sign a new deal here. It would be the best for his career," Gerrard said.

"That's something I can't control, but the young lads here have got no better manager to learn off because Brendan Rodgers is a fantastic man-manager; he puts a lot of time and effort into every individual player in the squad”.

Sterling's future has come under scrutiny ever since he shelved contract negotiations with Liverpool in March.

The 20-year-old revealed in an interview that the offer was for a new five-year deal worth 100,000 pounds a week.

"My advice to Raheem is, where he is at now with his age, he needs a manager who believes in him, who is going to play him, to coach him. I think there is no one better for him than Brendan,” said Gerrard who ended his 17-year senior Liverpool career with a 1-3 loss against Crystal Palace in an English Premier league match on Saturday.

"The danger for younger players is they want it all too soon, they chase it and go to another club and just become a number. They don't get that attention, love or care."

Gerrard will join American Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the ongoing season.