Raheem Sterling tells Liverpool that he won't travel on the club's pre-season tours in attempt to force move to Manchester City

  • Raheem Sterling wants to stay in England rather than travel to the Far East and Australia during Liverpool's pre-season
  • The 20-year-old is hoping this latest action will push through a move to City
  • Liverpool rejected an improved offer from City of £35m rising to £40m

Raheem Sterling has told Liverpool that he does not wish to go on the club's pre-season tour.

The England international is determined to force a move away from Anfield and it is understood that he wants to stay behind in England to sort out his future rather than travel to the Far East and Australia.

Manchester City have yet to make their third and potentially decisive bid for the 20-year-old with Liverpool holding out for £50million.

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Raheem Sterling (front, with team-mate Andre Wisdom) returned to training with Liverpool on Monday

Raheem Sterling (front, with team-mate Andre Wisdom) returned to training with Liverpool on Monday

Sterling reported to Melwood  despite his intention to leave, with Manchester City his favoured destination

Sterling reported to Melwood despite his intention to leave, with Manchester City his favoured destination

Liverpool rejected an improved offer for Sterling, from City, of £35m rising to £40m last month

Liverpool rejected an improved offer for Sterling, from City, of £35m rising to £40m last month

LIVERPOOL'S PRE-SEASON TOUR

July 14 - Thai All Stars

July 17 - Brisbane Roar

July 20 - Adelaide United

July 24 - Malaysia XI

August 1 - HJK

Liverpool rejected an improved offer of £35m rising to £40m last month.

Unless City make a decisive move in the coming days then Sterling, who reported back to Melwood for the start of pre-season on Monday, will be expected to fly with Brendan Rodgers’ squad to Thailand on Sunday. 

Their first tour game is in Bangkok next Tuesday.

Sterling arrived at training in a white Mercedes to begin pre-season training before the upcoming season

Sterling arrived at training in a white Mercedes to begin pre-season training before the upcoming season

Brendan Rodgers (right with Sean O'Driscoll) will have a decision to make about whether to take Sterling

Brendan Rodgers (right with Sean O'Driscoll) will have a decision to make about whether to take Sterling

Raheem Sterling's form for club and country has attracted the interest of Liverpool

Raheem Sterling's form for club and country has attracted the interest of Liverpool

However, Sterling is prepared to force a stand-off with Liverpool to make it clear that he wants to move to the Etihad. 

Such a stance would force Liverpool's hierarchy into disciplinary measures but they would be reluctant to have such a cloud hanging over them as they go on such a high profile tour.

Liverpool though found themselves in a similar situation two years ago when Luis Suarez was trying to engineer a move to Arsenal. 

The Uruguayan was banished to train on his own before accepting he was going nowhere and knuckling down.

The Reds have rejected two bids from Premier League rivals Manchester City for the England international

The Reds have rejected two bids from Premier League rivals Manchester City for the England international

HOW IT ALL TURNED SOUR FOR RAHEEM STERLING AT LIVERPOOL

February 2010

Liverpool beat off competition from Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal to sign 15-year-old Sterling from Queens Park Rangers for an initial fee of around £500,000.

February 2011

Sterling scored five goals in Liverpool's 9-0 win over Southend in an FA Youth Cup.

March 2012

At the age of 17 years and 107 days, Sterling made his senior debut by coming on as a substitute in Liverpool's 2-1 defeat by Wigan. Then manager Kenny Dalglish brough the teenager on for Dirk Kuyt with six minutes to go.

October 2012

Sterling scored his first competitive goal for Liverpool at senior level against Reading at Anfield. His 29th-minute strike earned Brendan Rodgers' side a 1-0 victory.

April 2014

After nearly a full season of playing time for the first team, Sterling became a key part of Liverpool's title charge and scored three big goals in this month. First, he left Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart for dead in a 3-2 win over Manchester City at Anfield and was then the difference a week later in a 3-2 win over Norwich.

June 2014

Sterling was one of few positives to emerge for England from a disappointing World Cup campaign. The Liverpool forward played in all three group games in Brazil.

August 2014

Sterling picked up where he left off from the previous season by scoring two goals in three games - one in a 2-1 win over Southampon at Anfield and the other at White Hart Lane in a 3-0 victory.

October 2014

After a busy start to the season with Liverpool, Sterling claimed he was 'too tired' to play for England. He played 45 minutes against San Marino before being substituted and came off the bench for the final half hour against Estonia a few days later.

January 2015

Sterling was given a mid-season break by Liverpool manager Rodgers to prevent him from burnout after a lot of playing time in the first half of the campaign and a World Cup the summer before. Sterling went on holiday to Jamaica and missed two matches during his time away.

April 2015

In an interview with the BBC, Sterling revealed he rejected a new Liverpool contract. The teenager also added that he wanted to win things and his decision was not about money.

In response, Rodgers said in a press conference that Sterling would not be going anywhere.

May 2015

Sterling tells Rodgers he wants to leave Liverpool despite there being one more game left in the season.

Sterling is booed by the away fans during Liverpool's 6-1 defeat at Stoke on the final day of the season.  

Sterling's agent claims Sterling will not sign a new contract with the club, who respond by canceling a scheduled meeting with star and his representative. 

June 2015

Sterling is booed by home fans during England's friendly with the Republic of Ireland. 

Liverpool reject two bids - the second worth £40m - for Sterling from Man City.  

July 2015

Sterling returns to pre-season training but tells Rodgers he doesn't want to go on the club's pre-season tour.  

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