Brendan Rodgers said Raheem Sterling is just a few hours away from securing his future at Anfield, with the Liverpool manager stressing the importance of keeping a talented British core in the squad.

The Raheem Sterling contract wrangle was getting a little edgy over the past few weeks, before the winger finally agreed on a lucrative new five-year deal, with the formalities set to be completed within the next 24 hours.

Arsene Wenger recently said a British base is essential for a club in the English Premier League nowadays, with Arsenal signing five young Brits to long-term deals Wednesday.

Rodgers is delighted to see Sterling on the verge of signing a new contract, and coupled with some of the other British players in the team, the Liverpool boss believes the club have a bright future.

"Hopefully it (Sterling's contract) will be concluded within the next 24 hours," Rodgers said.

"I have said before that there was never a real issue, it was just a matter of timing and we hope that over the next couple of days that can be completed.

"It is important for me to gain that core of young British talent we can go forward with.

"You look at Raheem, at Jonjo Shelvey at 20 who signed a new deal in the summer, and Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson who are only 22.

"It is very important going forward we can secure those signatures and, of course, we are always looking for the best players.

"But it is equally important the young players coming through the system get rewarded but also feel this is the best place for them to develop."

With Sterling not agreeing to a new contract despite talks over a deal starting early in the season, there were suggestions the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea could take advantage, but Rodgers insisted he was always confident a deal would get done eventually.

"We were always calm," he said. "I speak a lot with Raheem and his representatives and there have never been any issues from their side.

"It was just making sure that we take care in terms of the financial -- but also the football -- plan for the player.

"This was about a young player who has rocketed from playing in the youth teams and the reserves into becoming a full England international.

"A lot has happened in his young life and it was just about making sure that there was that protection for him going forward -- both in his financial situation and his football plan.

"I have always been confident that this was going to be the best place for him and thankfully the kid is very focused and devoted to Liverpool.

"His representatives know this is the best place for him. Once it gets concluded, he can start to the next part of his development and hopefully he can keep progressing."

Liverpool are on the verge of completing the signing of two more British players with Thomas Ince, along with Daniel Sturridge - agents fees notwithstanding - set to sign on at Anfield. Rodgers refused to confirm their arrivals, but did admit he was looking to strengthen the squad by adding players from the domestic scene.

"Our scouting network have been looking high and low for all sorts of talents to come in here," he added. "At this moment in time there is nothing to speak about.

"If we can get talented young players in -- and young British players -- that will be fantastic for us.

"Any negotiations take place by the people above me and we'll conclude what we can as early as we can."