Liverpool: Raheem Sterling 'happy playing football' and hopes to announce new contract soon

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling has hinted he is very close to finally signing a new contract at Anfield.

Sterling, 20, and the club have been in prolonged negotiations that have lasted for much of the season.

In late 2014, it was reported that the England international had rejected the club's first offer of a new deal, thought to be worth £70,000 ($108,000) per week. But manager Brendan Rodgers has remained confident of an 'incredible deal' being struck with the player.

Despite the ongoing talk over his long-term future on Merseyside, speculation is yet to have an effect on his performances on the pitch.

And ahead of the club's Europa League last-32 second leg clash with Besiktas, Sterling insists that will remain the case, insisting he is focused on his football.

"It is not a distraction to me, I am concentrating on winning games for Liverpool and hopefully it will be done soon," Sterling was quoted as saying by the Mirror.

"I speak to my representative every day and he has just told me to concentrate on playing football, and he and the club will deal with it. I am happy playing football and I am focused on trying to do my best for this football club."

Liverpool have already secured the long-term future of one of their highly regarded players this season in Philippe Coutinho, who signed a new deal at the beginning of February. The club also remained locked in negotiations with Jordan Henderson.

Liverpool take a 1-0 aggregate lead with them to Besiktas on 26 February due to Mario Balotelli's late winner at Anfield on 19 February. However, Rodgers is without Henderson, Coutinho, Glen Johnson and Mamadou Sakho, with Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva also sidelined and Lazar Markovic still to serve three games of his European ban.

The Reds travel to Manchester City on 1 March in their latest Premier League match with the aim of pushing on and breaking into the top four.