The Reds manager plans to reward his young winger for his excellent form last season but wants to ensure that he keeps his feet on the ground, unlike some British players

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers plans to reward star attacker Raheem Sterling with an improved contract but says that the club must be “careful” not to ruin his motivation by overpaying him.

The 19-year-old rocketed to stardom in 2013-14 and is set to be given an improved deal despite already having terms with the Premier League club until mid-2018.

Rodgers is keen to keep his young talent’s feet on the ground, something with which he feels that many British players struggle.

“[A new contract] will be something that’s done but we need to be careful,” the Northern Irishman told reporters.

“Raheem is a kid who has propelled himself on to another level. He got rewarded for that and that will always be the case here but we have to be careful because, when you reward young players too quickly, that will be their downfall.

“It’s a big problem with British players. Why? Because the reward is no longer there, they lose their hunger.

“Young players driving about – I say driving about, they buy a new Range Rover Sports before they have even got their driving licence.”