Former Liverpool winger John Barnes believes that Raheem Sterling is making a mistake by asking to leave the club.

It was reported on Monday evening that the 20-year-old plans to tell manager Brendan Rodgers this week that he will not sign a new contract at Anfield.

Barnes, who won two league titles with the Merseysiders, insists that Sterling is not ready to move on yet.

"He is only 20 and has not achieved anything, he has not won anything," Barnes told BBC Sport.

"The time is not right for him to move, but if he wants to move the club should sell him. If he goes to Manchester City, to give himself a chance of winning the league, he will not become a regular for them. We have seen it with players in the past like Scott Sinclair."

Sterling's agent Aidy Ward has claimed that the stories surrounding the England international's exit have been 'blown out of proportion'.