Phil Thompson is of the belief that Raheem Sterling is the recipient of poor guidance from his advisors.

While his reported contract dispute carries on, the Liverpool youngster felt the need to appear on the BBC to deny claims that he is money-hungry.

The interview was not sanctioned by his club and according to Reds legend Thompson, it was a move that did not need to occur.

"Not just over his contract situation, but coming forward to do a televised interview," Thompson told Sky Sports.

"If, as he has suggested, he wanted to put the matter to bed until the end of the season, to bring it up again and especially before a vital game against Arsenal, it's not the right way of doing things.

"And it shows his representative is inexperienced and is giving Raheem bad advice.

"I believe he's a young agent who used to work for a big firm that used to take care of Raheem, but now he's gone on his own and he's advising him - badly in my opinion.

"It smacks of self-interest from the agent and Raheem is probably too young to realise that. It's becoming very like the Suarez situation now. Liverpool are in control of this, no matter what Raheem or his agent thinks.

"Anyone would tell him that, yet for some reason, Raheem and his advisor can't see what's right in front of them.

"It seems as though they want as much money as someone who's played at Liverpool week-in week-out for five or six years. He's yet to do that - he's a good player now, but he's not yet a great player."