Raheem Sterling needs to man up and hand Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers a transfer request... not a sick note

By Craig Hope for MailOnline

Published: 06:13 EST, 9 July 2015 | Updated: 08:56 EST, 9 July 2015

If Raheem Sterling wants to leave Liverpool and sign for Manchester City it is a transfer request rather than a sick note he should be penning.

For the danger now is that his reputation is stained beyond cleansing.

On Wednesday – in the wake of his no-show at Liverpool’s training ground – Sportsmail reflected on those footballers who have sulked to force through a move. 

Raheem Sterling recovering at home... well, our super mocked-up image of how he might be spending his time - in a Manchester City bedroom complete with framed picture of his agent Aidy Ward

Raheem Sterling recovering at home... well, our super mocked-up image of how he might be spending his time - in a Manchester City bedroom complete with framed picture of his agent Aidy Ward

Raheem Sterling trained with Liverpool on Monday but will now be examined by a doctor after claiming to be ill

Raheem Sterling trained with Liverpool on Monday but will now be examined by a doctor after claiming to be ill

Sterling wants to leave Liverpool and sign for Manchester City ahead of the next Premier League season 

Sterling wants to leave Liverpool and sign for Manchester City ahead of the next Premier League season 

Does Sterling really want to be keeping company with the likes of Carlos Tevez, Pierre van Hooijdonk and Nicolas Anelka?

All of the above have either gone on strike, refused to warm-up or put in half-hearted performances, all the while being tagged as cowardly and disloyal by supporters and observers. 

Sterling is surely too young and too talented to engage in such tactics. 

At least that is what we hoped until news emerged of him calling in sick to training on Wednesday and then again 24 hours later.

There is, of course, the possibility that the 20-year-old could be unwell and unable to train. It is already known, however, that Sterling does not wish to join his team-mates when they leave for their tour of the Far East and Australia this weekend.

He is making himself and his associates the aggressors, employing any means necessary to exasperate his employers in a bid to sanction the move.

What they have not done is outline their reasons, a transfer request accompanied by an explanation, be that ambition, an unhappiness with the surrounds of Anfield or a want to be paid what he feels he deserves – he did, after all, turn down a contract offer of £100,000 per week last year. 

Sterling failed to report for Liverpool training on Wednesday and Thursday after phoning in sick

Sterling failed to report for Liverpool training on Wednesday and Thursday after phoning in sick

Sterling's form for club and country has attracted interest from Manchester City but he will cost around £50m

Sterling's form for club and country has attracted interest from Manchester City but he will cost around £50m

Saido Berahino (top centre) has split with Aidy Ward (left), the agent behind Sterling's transfer fiasco

Saido Berahino (top centre) has split with Aidy Ward (left), the agent behind Sterling's transfer fiasco

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

If there was some form of communication from Sterling it would perhaps go a little way to salvaging his reputation and giving increasingly agitated supporters an insight into his thinking.

Manchester City, of course, could do their top summer target a huge favour by stumping up Liverpool’s asking price – thought to be £50million – and so avoiding the charade which is sure to unfold in the coming weeks.

Instead, it looks as if a stand-off over a £10m difference in valuation will form the backdrop to an unsavoury separation.

Liverpool, though, could well be minded to meet them halfway, for there seems little mileage in allowing Sterling to disrupt preparations and harmony on their Far East tour and during the early weeks of the campaign.

What does seem certain is that come September 1 he will be a Manchester City player. 

Sadly, it seems equally likely that the reputation of one of England's brightest stars will be damaged beyond repair.

Brendan Rodgers (right, with Sean O'Driscoll) will have to decide whether to take Sterling on tour

Brendan Rodgers (right, with Sean O'Driscoll) will have to decide whether to take Sterling on tour

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 tour.

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