Raheem Sterling says that Liverpool qualifying for next season's Champions League will have no bearing on whether or not he chooses to sign a new contract with the club.
The England forward has rejected an offer worth £100,000 per week to pen a fresh deal at Anfield and has put talks over a new deal on hold until the end of the season to focus on football.
Liverpool, who went out of this season's Champions League at the group stage after a dismal performance, are up against it in their bid to finish in the top four and have eight games left to overhaul a five-point gap to Manchester United.
But Sterling says that whether Liverpool qualify for the Champions League will not affect his decision. Instead, what will is whether the Reds can be battling with the top teams in the league.
The 20-year-old told the BBC: "I wouldn't say it will affect my decision. I just say that you want to be one of the best teams, up there with the best teams in the league, competing with the best teams in the league.
relatedNewsStory
"I think we started off not the best at the start of the season, but in the last few months it's been really good, we've been in form and winning games and I think we're heading in the right direction."
And Sterling explained Liverpool are hoping to win the FA Cup this term. They face a quarter-final replay against Blackburn Rovers to see if they can reach the semi-final.
He added: "So it's pleasing to see and we're in the quarter-final and hopefully we can win this game against Blackburn and get really far in the competition. The team and me are aiming to win the FA Cup."
Sterling has been linked with a number of clubs in recent months, including Premier League rivals Arsenal and Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Don't bet on football until you've visited Inside Bet! Interesting markets, top tips, betting facts – get all the info before you bet.
