Liverpool: PFA to take no action against Raheem Sterling over laughing gas footage

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling has escaped action from the Professional Footballers' Association after footage emerged of the England international inhaling laughing gas before collapsing.

The 20-year-old will be spoken to by manager Brendan Rodgers following the release of the report that first appeared during the Reds' 2-0 Premier League win over Newcastle United, which saw Sterling net the opening goal.

An image of Sterling smoking a shisha pipe was published over the weekend but despite this latest indiscretion, the Liverpool ace will not be reprimanded by the PFA, whose deputy chief executive, Bobby Barnes, labelled the episode a "blip".

"I think it's clear that it's not a situation that is desirable," he told Sky Sports News HQ. "But at the same time it is a learning process and he hasn't committed a crime. Yes, it's not ideal but he's at a good football club, he's got good people around him and I've no doubt Brendan [Rodgers] will put his arm around him and at the same time make him aware of his responsibilities.

"I'm sure that this will just be something we'll look back on as just a blip on his career in the future. Whether they choose to be or not, players are indeed role models and he's done something which I'm certain he is now very well aware is something he won't repeat.

"He's a young man who is growing up in the public eye and every step he makes is going to be caught on camera, on video, and I think that the lesson for Raheem is that he's going to have to be even more careful and even more sensible now.

"This is very much a learning curve for him and I'm sure that this has been a sharp warning to him of exactly the spotlight that he's under now."

The incident comes as Sterling continues to negotiate a new Liverpool contract having rejected a deal worth £100,000 a week. The ex-Queens Park Rangers youngster's current contract expires in 2017 and he has been linked with Arsenal and Real Madrid.

Rodgers says Liverpool will deal with the incident internally but there is no indication Sterling's punishment will extend further than a discussion between the club and the player.

"Internally we'll always look after these types of items," he told Sky Sports. "He's a young kid who has been in the spotlight now so he knows the demands of being a top class player and a top class professional. It's not just on the field, it's off the field as well but I will speak with him on it and we'll move on."