Liverpool Transfer News: Raheem Sterling Warned over Future, Glen Johnson Latest

Liverpool legend John Barnes has advised Raheem Sterling to remain with the Premier League club for the foreseeable future, while also warning the 19-year-old starlet that he cannot be considered world class just yet.

Barnes, who won eight trophies during his decade with the Merseyside club, believes Sterling is best suited to stay in England. Nick Miller of The Guardian has suggested Real Madrid are interested in the talented youngster, but Barnes feels such a move would be premature, as reported by Jack Wilson of the Daily Star:

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His future should be at Liverpool. He's still a very young player and he hasn't maximised his potential yet. It'll be four or five years until he can really be classed as a world-class superstar player. In England, and we've seen the same with Ross Barkley, it takes six good games and all of a sudden you're a world-class player - but it's not right.

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Barnes also questioned, "why would you want to leave Liverpool? For what reason?" He did exactly that in 1997, joining Newcastle United and then failing to win another trophy in his playing career. It doesn't get much bigger than the historic club.

Even though Liverpool's start to the season has been extremely poor, Sterling has posted a handful of impressive performances for Brendan Rodgers' side. He was outlined as the world's top prospect by B/R UK's Sam Tighe, as noted below:

Three goals and two assists in 10 matches is a solid total considering Liverpool have only scored 13 in the domestic division. Sterling has generally been at the heart of the side's best moments, injecting high tempo into attacks and performing fearlessly to make up for the absence Daniel Sturridge (injured) and Luis Suarez (joined Barcelona).

That said, it has been five matches since Sterling last assisted and nine since he hit the back of the net. Teams are aware of Liverpool's ability to overly rely on him and are consciously adapting to limit his threat. Real Madrid, Hull City and Newcastle have stopped the Reds from scoring in their last three matches, a worrying realisation for everyone at the club.

Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was "impressed" with Sterling's performance during the October fixture with Madrid, as reported by the Spanish club's official website. He remains the side's great hope heading into the reverse fixture at the Bernabeu on Tuesday, but Barnes' comments suggest it is too early for such expectations.

Jon Super/Associated Press

English prospects are among the most pressured in the world, both down to the intensity of the nation's media and supporters' craving for success. Talented youngsters who progress into the Three Lions squad face a brighter spotlight, as highlighted by the hoopla after Sterling admitted he was too tired to play for Roy Hodgson's side.

Like Sterling, Barnes was born in Jamaica. He developed into a world star at Liverpool after a fruitful six-year spell with Watford. Sterling didn't make a senior appearance for Queens Park Rangers before moving in 2010 and has rocketed to the attention of many.

So many prospects—think Kieron Dyer, Alan Smith, David Bentley—have achieved a quick impact before falling into obscurity.

Rodgers' willingness to provide Sterling with responsibility should be commended, but it would be all too easy for him to leave and struggle on the bench abroad. Right now, he would suffer minimal minutes in a line-up of Madrid's standard.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Liverpool could soon be sending players to the continent, however, as noted by Pete O'Rourke of Sky Sports:

Both Glen Johnson and Fabio Borini have struggled for game time this season, racking up just 386 and 23 minutes in the Premier League, respectively. Both could make way for extra funds after falling into the deadwood category at the club. Unlike Sterling, they may benefit from a fresh challenge away from the attention of the English division.

The nation rarely sends talent to elite European sides—Ashley Cole, David Beckham and Michael Owen are among the recent few—but there's real sense that a fully developed Sterling could make it big at a club like Madrid. He will most likely be overly praised and unfairly criticised at times during his Liverpool tenure, but as Barnes suggests, it is these years in which his true quality will be attained.

Stats via WhoScored.com unless otherwise noted.