Raheem Sterling Named Liverpool's Alexis Sanchez, New Contract Expected

Raheem Sterling "plays like Alexis Sanchez's role for Arsenal," according to Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who expects the young England winger to sign a new contract soon. That's according to Daily Mail reporter Sami Mokbel.

Rodgers made the rather convenient comparison to Gunners star Sanchez after Liverpool's impressive 3-1 win over Bournemouth in the Capital One Cup quarter-finals. Sterling scored twice in that game, a timely return to form ahead of Liverpool's Premier League clash with Arsenal at Anfield this Sunday.

Given Liverpool's current issues up top, Sterling will represent the Merseyside club's major threat to the Gunners. His electric pace and clever movement have encouraged Rodgers to move the 20-year-old into something resembling an out-and-out striker role at the tip of Liverpool's attack.

The new position could give the Reds a more consistent source of goals. That's something ESPN pundit Janusz Michallik told B/R's Ryan Bailey Liverpool are currently missing:

Rodgers expanded on Sterling's new position while also expressing little concern over his young star's ongoing contract negotiations:

"

His contract situation is nothing to do with him. His representatives are the ones working with the club.

...

He plays like Alexis Sanchez’s role for Arsenal, not an out and out striker but his speed and movement causes problems.

His ability to turn and drop in, his threat on the counter attack. He’s been the real catalyst for us this season.

"

There's a certain irony in the comparison Rodgers has drawn between Sterling and the ex-Barcelona ace currently acting as Arsenal's talisman.

Back in November, pundit Gary Neville stated Sanchez would've been the perfect replacement for outgoing Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, during a UEFA Champions League broadcast for Sky Sports (h/t Metro reporter Hannah Duncan):

"

Sanchez would have been an ideal replacement for Luis Suarez. Goals, tenacity, pressing from the front, loses the ball—it goes past him he runs back.

Everything Liverpool would have wanted to replace Suarez, obviously you could argue he wouldn’t score the goals Suarez would score, but I think he would have been the perfect replacement for Suarez.

"

Of course, it was Arsenal who ultimately got their man, as Gunners boss Arsene Wenger flexed the club's new-found financial muscle for the second summer running. Sanchez has proved to be worth the investment, scoring 14 goals in all competitions so far this season, per Arsenal.com.

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

By contrast, Sterling has struggled to reach top form this season. He's only scored five times thus far, with just three of those goals coming in the league, per WhoScored.com.

Sterling's cause hasn't been helped by Suarez's exit, an injury to Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli's customary temperament issues. Rodgers will be hoping his recent brace, along with the change of position, kick-starts his campaign.

Liverpool fans will likely just be delighted to hear positive news regarding a potential new deal. Sterling's contract situation didn't look so promising recently.

Henry Winter of The Telegraph claimed the player and club were "nowhere near any agreement." Fans will hope Rodgers' confidence in a deal eventually being struck is a reflection of reality.

But first, Sterling will have the chance to see just how closely he compares to Sanchez. Whichever star forward dominates at Anfield on Sunday will almost certainly determine which team claims three vital points.