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Raheem Sterling's contract talks with Liverpool have stalled.

The England forward has rejected a second offer from the Reds to extend a deal that still has more than two years to run.

And that is a major embarrassment for the club after they promised to have Sterling’s future signed and sealed by the end of January to ease the pain of losing Steven Gerrard to the MLS.

Sterling rejected Liverpool’s opening offer last month after describing their bid to double his wages to £70,000 a week as unacceptable.

Their latest, improved offer has met with the same answer. It seems that Liverpool must now break through the £100,00-a-week barrier if they want to keep the 20-year-old happy.

World's most valuable players CIES Football Observatory

Liverpool continue to insist that Sterling will not be leaving the club even if the contract impasse continues. And there is no suggestion from the player’s camp that the former QPR tyro wants to leave Anfield. But Brendan Rodgers’ claim that he is close to agreeing terms now seems like misplaced optimism.

Liverpool, though, are aware their prized asset continues to be the focus of admiring glances from Real Madrid.

Sterling has become an integral figure for both club and country, and was awarded the Golden Shoe in 2014 as Europe’s best Under-21 player.

With Gerrard set to leave, he is being lined up to play a key role in Liverpool’s commercial activities as well as spearheading a new era on the pitch.