Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has warned Raheem Sterling that leaving Anfield too early could have "detrimental" effects on his career.

The 20-year-old has been heavily linked with a summer departure after rejecting a £100,000-a-week contract extension, with Arsenal and Manchester United among those on high alert.

Real Madrid have previously been linked with an interest, but Souness, who won five league titles and three European Cups with Liverpool, says that the youngster must make an informed decision before considering an exit.

"He has to be careful what his next move is because right now he's in the team, playing and improving," he told The Mirror.

"He could go to a bigger, stronger squad and not play every week - and that could be detrimental at this stage of his career.

"The unfortunate thing for Liverpool is that there are four or five clubs who would take Sterling and pay whatever he wants. That's the dilemma."

On Saturday, manager Brendan Rodgers slammed Sterling's agent and suggested that he was manipulating his client.