I'm not money-grabbing! Raheem Sterling explains why Liverpool talks are on hold

RAHEEM STERLING has claimed he is motivated by silverware not money as his Liverpool future was left uncertain amid an admission he finds interest from Arsenal flattering.

Raheem Sterling Player Profile

The Liverpool starlet insisted his contract stand-off with the Anfield club, which has seen talks shelved until the summer after a £100,000-a-week offer was rejected, was not an issue of wages as he railed against his depiction as a "money-grabbing 20-year-old."

In an interview with the BBC, Sterling appeared to offer what could be perceived, on the one hand, as a warning to Liverpool to build a team to compete for trophies, or he was simply making potential suitors aware he is unsure of his future.

"It's not about the money at all, it never has been. I talk about winning trophies throughout my career," said Sterling.

"I don't talk about how many cars I'm going to drive, how many houses I've got. I just purely want to be the best I can be.

"I don't want to be perceived as a money-grabbing 20-year-old, I'm just a kid that loves playing football.

"That's how it has been since I was a young kid. I've never ever wanted to demand anything off anyone, I'm just trying to demand the best of myself.

Raheem SterlingGETTY

Raheem Sterling says his key focus is achieving his personal goals

I want the best for me and I want to reach my goals I set out as a young kid

Raheem Sterling

"I want the best for me and I want to reach my goals I set out as a young kid. Everyone had their dreams when they were playing and that's no different for me.

"I just want to take the time to think about what I've achieved in my career so far, where I need to go and what I need to do to get better as a player."

Sterling has two years left to run on his existing contract worth £35,000 a week and is attracting interest from the likes of Manchester City, while Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have been linked.

Yet his willingness to embrace Arsenal's reported interest in him raised eyebrows with Liverpool heading to The Emirates on Saturday when their top four aspirations will be in the balance.

"It is quite flattering," said Sterling, who has had injections in a toe injury that ruled him out of England's draw with Italy.

Sterling offered wonderful deal - Rodgers [AMBIENT]

"For me it is quite flattering. I just block it out and want to keep playing football.

"The next game is against Arsenal and I want to do my best. I won't be hiding. As I said, I'm just happy to be playing football."

At one point Sterling said he was "happy to be playing for Liverpool and trying to win trophies" before leaving his future open.

"At the end of the season, I just want to sit down with the club and my representatives," he added. "I will definitely give guarantees when the season has finished.

"I just want to focus on football and, when it gets to the end of the season, assess my position as a 20-year-old player playing in the Premier League."

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