Sterling has caught the eye of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United recently.
The 20-year-old star has yet to commit his future to the Reds and rejected the club's opening contract offer of £100,000 a week.
But former Kop favourite Jason McAteer thinks Sterling's future rests on Anfield.
"I feel like I need to protect Raheem Sterling a bit," McAteer told talkSPORT.
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Raheem Sterling has been talked up with a move away from Anfield
His agent is doing all of the damage. He's the one who's put him in front of the cameras
Jason McAteer
"His agent is doing all of the damage. He's the one who's put him in front of the cameras.
"Sterling's a naive, quiet 20-year-old. He's gone about his business very well over the last two seasons. He's not been on the back pages for anything negative.
"He's been swayed by his agent, who's probably told him there are a few clubs interested. He's saying, 'I can get you this or that' and 'you deserve this or that'.
"The lad should concentrate on his football at the moment. He's playing week in week out at Liverpool and is adored by the fans.
Brendan Rodgers issues Raheem Sterling a warning about his attitude
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"If I was to give him any advice it would be to stay where you are for a couple of seasons and learn your trade under Brendan Rodgers. There's a good young team there at Liverpool.
"If he went to Chelsea, Man City, Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich he's not going to get in the team. He's simply not going to play. For his development, at his age, he needs to play. He'd get that at Liverpool. The money will come to you at 23 or 24.
"You're going to be on £150-200,000-a-week if you continue to develop the way you are. I'd sit on it, take what Liverpool are offering and develop there."
