Liverpool have been struggling badly this season. The Reds were humiliated 3-0 at Old Trafford by arch rivals Manchester United on Sunday that leaves them trailing behind their rivals by 10 points. Top four chances are slipping away, and a failure to make the Champions League to would mean potential departures of top players from the club.

One of them could be Raheem Sterling, who has been undoubtedly Liverpool’s best player of the season, by a country mile.

According to reports from Bild in Germany, Bayern Munich would turn their attention to Sterling as a plan B option, should they fail to land Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus.

Reus, who has refused to pen a new deal at Dortmund, and could leave for any other club for £20m only next summer, has been a long term target of Manchester United and other English clubs.

Bayern are also thought to be one of the interested parties for Reus’ signature, but Dortmund, having sold two superstar players to their rivals in the last couple of seasons, Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski, would be reluctant to sell another big name player again.

Bundesliga expert Clark Whitney says that signing Sterling would represent a good image of Bundesliga than making a move for Reus.

Liverpool are hopeful that they will finish in top four and that they will be able to hold on to their star players, including Sterling. Reds manager Brendan Rodgers has praised the youngster heavily on numerous occasions saying he is the best young forward in the world at his age.

However, an offer from Bayern Munich, would turn the heads of any young player, and Sterling would be no exception to that case.

Therefore, Liverpool’s best chances (apart from finishing in top four) to hold on to Sterling could depend on whether Manchester United or other Premier League heavy weights fail to land Reus, or conversely Bayern snap up a deal for the German star.

Liverpool have been riddled with so many problems this season, and reports like this will only unsettle the player and the dressing room.