Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has hinted that the club's American owners will show "strength" with regards to the contract saga involving Raheem Sterling.
In the summer of 2013, Luis Suarez, who now plays for Barcelona, tried to instigate a move from Liverpool to Arsenal, but the Reds' owners Fenway Sports Group held firm.
The Uruguayan was forced to stay at Anfield for another season and was ordered to train alone for a period of time after his summer antics.
The Merseyside club find themselves in a similar position as Sterling is reportedly refusing to sign a new deal with two years left on his current terms.
The England international's agent Aidy Ward has come under criticism after allegedly claiming in an interview that his client will "definitely not" sign a new contract.
Sterling's representative has disputed the quotes, but there are concerns that a large number of Liverpool fans are growing increasingly frustrated with their player, who is expected to start in Sunday's final game of the season away to Stoke City.
In this morning's press conference, Rodgers told reporters: "The LFC supporters always back their own players. If he starts or doesn't start at the weekend, he will get the support of the supporters.
"The ownership have shown their strength in their time here. They've done an incredible job to stabilise the club and point them in the right direction. Whenever they've had to show that strength they've done that."
Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich have been linked with Sterling ahead of the summer transfer window.
Danielle Joynson
