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Liverpool FC have cooled their interest in Porto winger Christian Atsu.

The 21-year-old Ghana international was on the club’s list of potential summer targets but after initial talks with the Portuguese champions the Reds have opted not to push through a deal.

Rather than spending in excess of £3million on a wide player who is out of contract next summer, boss Brendan Rodgers intends to put his faith in the young talent he already has at his disposal.

Raheem Sterling is now fully fit after recovering from the thigh injury which ended his season back in March.

The 18-year-old worked tirelessly with his rehabilitation over the summer and has impressed staff following his return to Melwood.

The Reds believe he’s ready to recapture the form he showed in the early stages of last term which earned him a first England cap and a lucrative new contract.

Sterling has been linked with a loan spell with a host of clubs keen to secure his services on a temporary basis.

However, Liverpool have no intention of allowing Sterling to leave with Rodgers expecting him to have a big role to play at Anfield in 2013/14.

Fellow teenager Jordon Ibe is another highly-rated winger the manager is ready to call upon this season.

The 17-year-old, who was signed from Wycombe Wanderers in 2011, shone on his debut against Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the last campaign – providing the assist for Philippe Coutinho’s winner.

A number of Liverpool’s other youngsters are set to head out on loan this season.

No decision has yet been made but Suso and Andre Wisdom are among those whose first-team opportunities are likely to be limited and would benefit from gaining valuable experience elsewhere.

The Reds’ pursuit of Shakhtar Donetsk’s attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan continues to drag on.

The Armenia international, who has been fined by the Ukrainian club after failing to report for pre-season training, is keen on a move to Anfield.

Liverpool are prepared to pay up to £25million to complete their biggest transfer of the summer but there is still no agreement in place.

With agents’ demands creating another stumbling block, a swift resolution is not expected.