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.
