Raheem Sterling misses Liverpool training after calling in sick
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Updated 08/07/2015 at 11:46 GMT
Raheem Sterling did not report for training with Liverpool on Wednesday after calling in sick, according to various reports.
Raheem Sterling
Image credit: Eurosport
Sterling had previously intimated that he would not travel with Liverpool for their pre-season tour to Australia and the Far East, which starts on Sunday, as he pursues an exit from the club.
So the revelation that he has phoned in sick and missed training will naturally be seen as another development in the ongoing power play between player and club.
According to the Liverpool Echo: “Liverpool declined to comment but normal procedure in these circumstances is that they will send club medical staff around to the player's house to do an assessment.”
[CARRAGHER: Sterling is getting a reputation]
Manchester City have had two bids rejected for Sterling, the second of which was to the value of £35 million rising to £40m.
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Liverpool's English midfielder Raheem Sterling arrives to attend the Liverpool Football Club 2015 Players' Awards at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on May 19, 2015
Image credit: AFP
It is reported that a bid of £45m rising to £50m could see City land the 20-year-old, who has refused to sign a new contract worth £100,000-per week at Anfield.
Jamie Carragher earlier warned Sterling that even Manchester City supporters would be wary of his conduct if he continued to attract negative headlines.
"He's starting to get a reputation that could be hard to rid himself of in the future, are Man City fans looking at the situation and thinking this could be us in a few years?” he asked.
"I think this situation will only make Liverpool more determined to get the fee they feel Raheem is worth rather than caving in to Raheem's and Man City's wishes."
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Liverpool's manager Brendan Rodgers (R) gestures to Raheem Sterling (C) and Jose Enrique
Image credit: Reuters
WHY DOES HE WANT TO LEAVE?
Sterling has spoken of his desire to win trophies and insists the move is not motivated by financial concerns, although clearly he will earn a lot more money if he does move to City. However, a report on Sky Sports on Wednesday suggests that Brendan Rodgers is the problem. It states of a Tuesday meeting between the two men:
It is understood Rodgers reiterated his desire for the England international to stay at the club, claiming that if Sterling wanted more money, then he was confident that a deal could be reached between the player and the Liverpool hierarchy. However, it is believed Sterling countered that by telling Rodgers that his concerns were not over money or the club itself, but rather that he did not want to play for the manager.
It would seem strange, given how much Rodgers has progressed Sterling's career over the past two seasons, but if true it exposes the level of acrimony which has developed during the summer's biggest transfer saga.
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