Liverpool put through their paces as Danny Ings trains for the first time and Mario Balotelli returns from compassionate leave

  • Raheem Sterling phoned in sick to miss second training session in a row 
  • The Liverpool winger wants to join Manchester City in the transfer window
  • Liverpool were put through their paces during training on Thursday
  • England's Jordan Henderson, Danny Ings and James Milner were present
  • Ings was taking part in first training session since arriving from Burnley  
  • Mario Balotelli returned to action after he was granted compassionate leave

Danny Ings trained with Liverpool for the first time on Thursday and he was joined by the returning Mario Balotelli, but wantaway winger Raheem Sterling was nowhere to be seen.

England international Sterling is embroiled in a messy transfer saga with the Reds as he bids to push a move to Manchester City through. 

Sterling missed Liverpool training for the second day in a row after the wantaway winger had failed to report for training on Wednesday too - claiming he was sick.

Mario Balotelli returned after he was granted compassionate leave following the death of his adoptive father

Mario Balotelli returned after he was granted compassionate leave following the death of his adoptive father

Danny Ings, pictured talking with Brendan Rodgers, trained with Liverpool for the first time on Thursday
Ings shares a joke with Martin Skrtel

Danny Ings, pictured talking with Brendan Rodgers (left), trained with Liverpool for the first time on Thursday

The Italian looked happy to be back as he looks to impress Rodgers and hope for another chance

The Italian looked happy to be back as he looks to impress Rodgers and hope for another chance

Jordan Henderson (front left) and Rickie Lambert lead the team during a training session at Melwood

Jordan Henderson (front left) and Rickie Lambert lead the team during a training session at Melwood

Manchester City are chasing the 20-year-old and have seen two bids - the last offer being for£40million - rejected by Liverpool.

But his team-mates were in no mood to dwell on the ongoing transfer tussle as they participated in a training session at the club's Melwood training ground. 

New signings Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne were put through their paces under the watchful eye of manager Brendan Rodgers and his new assistant Sean O'Driscoll.

Balotelli returned to training after he was granted compassionate leave following the death of his adoptive father.

The Italy international has stitched his late adopted dad's name into his boots which he posted a snap of on his Instagram page.

Balotelli posted this photograph on Instagram showing the boots dedicated to his late adoptive father

Balotelli posted this photograph on Instagram showing the boots dedicated to his late adoptive father

Rodgers (middle) and his assistant Sean O'Driscoll (left) looked in high spirits ahead of their pre-season tour

Rodgers (middle) and his assistant Sean O'Driscoll (left) looked in high spirits ahead of their pre-season tour

Ings, Jordon Ibe, James Milner and new boy Nathaniel Clyne compete for the ball during training

Ings, Jordon Ibe, James Milner and new boy Nathaniel Clyne compete for the ball during training

England international Clyne will be hoping to impress in pre-season after sealing his move from Southampton 

England international Clyne will be hoping to impress in pre-season after sealing his move from Southampton 

The club are preparing to go on their pre-season tour to the Far East and Australia but it's unlikely Sterling will attend after telling the club on Monday he'd rather not travel.

Liverpool are waiting for City’s expected third offer and the reason Sterling does not want to board a plane to Bangkok on Sunday is so that he can finalise his future. 

Sterling has already rejected a new contract at Anfield, worth £100,000-a-week, and Chelsea were thought to be interested in him, but will not match Liverpool's asking price. 

The saga took another twist this week after he failed to report for training on Wednesday despite turning up for the first day of pre-season on Monday.

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel tugs the shirt of Joao Teixeira as he competes the win the ball back 

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel tugs the shirt of Joao Teixeira as he competes the win the ball back 

Rodgers gives his Liverpool side a team talk ahead of their pre-season tour to the Far East and Australia

Rodgers gives his Liverpool side a team talk ahead of their pre-season tour to the Far East and Australia

Liverpool new boy Milner will also be looking to impress as he attempts to fill the void left by Steven Gerrard

Liverpool new boy Milner will also be looking to impress as he attempts to fill the void left by Steven Gerrard

Sterling has claimed to be ill and Sportsmail understands he would have rung in sick – as per club protocol – to explain the symptoms he was showing.

The England international had phoned Melwood, Liverpool’s headquarters, on Wednesday morning, claiming that he felt unwell and would not be able to take part in the planned sessions.  

But a happy Rodgers seemed to put the saga to one side on Thursday as he watched his team step up their preparation for the new season.

Rodgers put the saga with Raheem Sterling to one side on Thursday as he watched his side train 

Rodgers put the saga with Raheem Sterling to one side on Thursday as he watched his side train 

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