Brendan Rodgers blames 'other parties' for Raheem Sterling's BBC interview

Brendan Rodgers is sending mixed messages.

The Liverpool bench boss, speaking after his side's 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal on Saturday, addressed the only topic on the minds of anyone interested in the club at the moment: The future of Raheem Sterling.

Sterling, 20, gave a wide-ranging interview with the BBC last week in which he discussed his much-publicized contract negotiations, including his decision to reject a recent £100,000-a-week offer from the Reds.

Rodgers opined that the young star did not give the interview on his own accord, hinting instead that his advisers were responsible for setting it up.

"You are not a 20-year-old boy and you pick up the phone and ask to speak to the BBC," said Rodgers. "You don't do it. Him in particular. But, of course, if he is asked to do that by other parties then that is what he'll do."

In that way, it seems like the Northern Irishman is absolving Sterling of any perceived wrongdoing. The youngster has come under plenty of criticism of late for his contract demands - despite the fact that he is simply looking to be paid fair market value for his talent, which is among the best in the Premier League. Regardless, seeing the manager stick up for a player who has been nothing but a brilliant player for him was encouraging.

But as Rodgers continued, the tone of his discussion seemed to change course.

"In the modern game it's something that would frustrate us all. It's the market. In fairness to Raheem, I brought Raheem in from the youth team so I know the kid well and I know a big part of this is nothing to do with him. He's a kid who is focused on his football, works hard every single day, he just wants to play his football.

"The kid gives me everything every time he trains and plays. Loyalty is not something so prevalent in the modern game."

It's hard - nearly impossible, actually - to interpret that last comment without being in the room, but if Rodgers is going to play the loyalty card, this could get real ugly, real quickly.