Liverpool transfer, team news 2015: Steven Gerrard thinks Raheem Sterling should stay

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard acknowledges the crowd as he walks on the pitch after his final game at Anfield.Reuters

Former Liverpool captain and soon to be member of MLS club LA Galaxy Steven Gerrard believes the budding Raheem Sterling will have the chance to be Liverpool's top player if he makes his decision to stay with the club.

The 20-year-old prodigy has been linked to moves to Manchester City and Arsenal.

Because of this fans are already turning against him and are expressing their dismay on Sterling every time he steps on the field.

In a report by BBC Sports, Sterling was booed by fans inside the Aviva Stadium when England took on Ireland Sunday in a friendly which ended in a 0-0 draw.

Gerrard was at the launching of BT Sport Champions League according to BBC Sports and spoke about Sterling.

"Liverpool is the place for him (Sterling) to learn for the next few years," Gerrard stated.

"I think there's a position there for him to be the number one player in the Liverpool team and really have that adulation from supporters that the likes of Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres have experienced," the 35-year-old added.

Gerrard also said, "I don't want to see him go to another team and just become a squad player and just another number in the team, I think he deserves to be playing every week."

Unfortunately, Sterling and Liverpool has not agreed to any deal yet since he turned down a £100,000-a-week deal offered by the club.

"For the player's sake and all his fans out there, he needs to make a decision," Gerrard added.

According to BBC Sports' report, Gerrard also shared his thought on Liverpool's chances for the 2015-16 season following a trophyless year.

"I don't think problems at Liverpool are as big as people are making out. I think there's a fantastic core of players there that, with the right additions in the staff and playing staff, I think Liverpool can be very competitive next year," Gerrard said in the launch Tuesday.

Liverpool already added two key players after signing former Manchester City midfielder James Milner and Burnley striker Danny Ings recently.