Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that it is only a matter of time before Raheem Sterling puts pen to paper on a new contract.

The England international has been in talks with the Merseyside outfit for some time, but the delay has prompted suggestions that the starlet may look elsewhere.

Real Madrid were heavily linked with the 20-year-old, but Rodgers has reiterated that Sterling is "very happy" at Anfield.

"Obviously the club are speaking with his representatives on it," Rodgers told reporters. "I would think that will be concluded very imminently.

"You can see he's very happy, it's nothing to do with Raheem - he wants to be here. Hopefully we'll get a solution on that very soon."

Sterling scored the equalising goal in Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final on Tuesday, which was the youngster's first game back since being given a winter break by Rodgers.