Friday 10 July 2015 13:28, UK
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has criticised Raheem Sterling's behaviour and told him to 'be a man' about his future.
Sterling, who has made no secret of his desire to leave Anfield this summer, is understood to have missed pre-season training for a second time on Thursday and refused to be part of the club's pre-season tour to the Far East.
Sky sources understand the 20-year-old forward no longer wants to work with manager Brendan Rodgers - something the club strongly denies.
But, in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News HQ from new club LA Galaxy, Gerrard accused Sterling of letting down Liverpool's supporters.
Gerrard said: “I’m not happy with all that carry-on and I don’t think there’s any need for it. They all need to be men about the situation.
“Raheem needs to go in and speak to the owners and to Brendan himself, tell them what he wants and go about it that way. You don’t have to throw illnesses in and refuse to go on tour.
"There are millions and millions of Liverpool fans around the world who are itching to see Raheem Sterling in a Liverpool kit. So I don’t think it’s fair on them if he is behaving like that.”
Liverpool have already rejected two bids - of up to £40m - from Manchester City for Sterling and Rodgers remains keen to keep the player.
Sterling is under contract with the Reds until 2017 but his relationship with the club has deteriorated since he turned down the opportunity to sign an improved deal in January.
Since then he has given an interview, unsanctioned by the club, in which he stressed he was not "a money-grabbing 20-year-old".
His agent Aidy Ward subsequently added fuel to the fire by insisting Sterling would not sign a new contract "for £900,000-a-week".
Watch Vinny O'Connor's exclusive interview with Steven Gerrard on Good Morning Sports Fans from 6am on Sky Sports News HQ on Friday
