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Raheem Sterling at Liverpool for the long-term - Ian Ayre

Raheem Sterling will be at Liverpool for a "long time," according to chief executive Ian Ayre.

Sterling's future has been the subject of conjecture of late, with the winger putting contract talks on hold until the end of the season.

The England international's current terms do not expire until 2017 but he has rejected a £100,000-a-week offer from the club.

Sterling has also made the headlines this week after being pictured apparently smoking a shisha pipe and inhaling nitrous oxide -- although he is not expected to be punished by Liverpool.

Ayre is confident the 20-year-old, who has scored seven Premier League goals this season, will be at Anfield for the long-term.

He said in the Daily Express: "Raheem's agent has asked that we park all discussions regards his future until the summer. We respect that.

"Raheem is a Liverpool player and has two years left on his contract. We expect Raheem Sterling to be here for a long time."

Meanwhile, Reds midfielder Joe Allen reserved praise for Sterling after he opened the scoring in a 2-0 win over Newcastle on Monday night.

Allen said: "He always focuses on his football. People forget sometimes that Raheem is only 20 years old. It's frightening how good he is.

"He's someone who will continue to get better and better. Performances like that are what he's all about.

"Goal scoring is something he's getting better at all the time. Credit to him. His rise during my three seasons here has been incredible.

"I remember his first start in the Man City game when he was thrown in. It was pretty clear then that he was special and since then he's gone on to prove that."

Asked about Sterling's contract situation, Allen said: "I'm not the man to give him advice.

"It's something that everyone is hopeful will get resolved and that he can be here at this club for a very long time."