Liverpool have been urged to sell Raheem Sterling to Manchester City as soon as possible because they already have a better replacement in Jordon Ibe, according to former striker John Aldridge.

Brendan Rodgers' side are believed to have turned down two offers from City for the winger, the second of which was £40 million, after he rejected a new £100,000-a-week contract at Anfield.

Liverpool are thought to be holding out for £50 million, but Aldridge believes the speculation over Sterling's future has made a "mockery" of the club and the Reds do not need the England international with Ibe waiting in the wings.

"Brendan Rodgers should let Raheem Sterling leave for Manchester City now," he wrote on sports social network Kicca.

"The sooner he leaves the better for all involved. All this transfer talk is making a mockery of Liverpool Football Club.

"Raheem is obviously a hugely talented player but Liverpool have a top replacement in Jordon Ibe.

"I think he's got as much, if not more, potential than Raheem and will go on to be a better player."

After turning down a new deal at Anfield, Sterling's agent Aidy Ward insisted his client would not stay at Liverpool even for a weekly salary of nearly £1 million, which led to the club cancelling talks over a new agreement.

Aldridge thinks Sterling's decision not to accept a new contract with the Reds was down to Ward, and he urged Liverpool to now resolve the situation by cashing in on the 20-year-old.

"Sterling is obviously too young to think for himself so his agent (Aidy Ward) has been doing his thinking for him," he added.

"For the sake of Liverpool Football Club they should take the millions on offer and then everybody will be better off.

"Raheem will be a bit richer and Liverpool will be rid of a player who doesn't want to play for the club. It's a win-win.

"Manchester City are a big club and Raheem will get paid well and play Champions League football so he will be happy.

Premier League kits 2015/16: In pictures 10 show all Premier League kits 2015/16: In pictures 1/10 Arsenal away Getty 2/10 Aston Villa home 3/10 Aston Villa away 4/10 Bournemouth home Getty 5/10 Crystal Palace Getty 6/10 Everton away 7/10 Leicester away LCFC 8/10 Manchester City home 9/10 Norwich away Norwich 10/10 West Ham away West Ham United FC 1/10 Arsenal away Getty 2/10 Aston Villa home 3/10 Aston Villa away 4/10 Bournemouth home Getty 5/10 Crystal Palace Getty 6/10 Everton away 7/10 Leicester away LCFC 8/10 Manchester City home 9/10 Norwich away Norwich 10/10 West Ham away West Ham United FC

"And life at Anfield will go on without him because he’s certainly not bigger than the club."