Adam Lallana desperate to see Raheem Sterling stay at Liverpool

Adam Lallana is hopeful that Liverpool teammate Raheem Sterling stays at Anfield beyond the summer.

Speculation is rife that the 20-year-old will leave Merseyside, with Manchester City reportedly seeing a £25m bid rejected last week.

Criticism has been levelled at the youngster in recent months after rejecting a £100,000-a-week extension, but Lallana says that perception is false.

"He's a great lad and, for me, people are obviously talking too much about him," he told The Telegraph.

"He's a really down-to-earth lad and I just hope he stays at Liverpool because he's a fantastic player and a good friend."

His existing deal expires in 2017.