Raheem Sterling has returned for pre-season training at Liverpool, having called in sick for two sessions this week amid growing uncertainty over his future.
Sterling missed Wednesday’s session citing illness, and again phoned in sick on Thursday. The club did not offer any comment, though the medical department was asked to verify Sterling’s claim, which is standard procedure.
Sterling has returned to training, though whether he will take part in Liverpool’s tour to south-east Asia and Australia, which begins on Sunday, remains to be seen.
Manchester City have had a £40m bid turned down by Liverpool but remain interested in buying Sterling. It is understood City have no plans to make a higher offer for a player valued at £50m by Liverpool.
Steven Gerrard has described the Sterling situation as “very disappointing”, saying: “I’m not happy with all that carry-on.
“He needs to go in and see the owners. You don’t have to throw in illness, or refuse to go on tour. There are millions of Liverpool fans waiting to see Raheem pull on a Liverpool shirt. It looks very disappointing from where I’m sat. The fans have shown him great support, they want him to stay and I believe that he should too.
“It’s very difficult for me to sit here and support him and the team around him … what they’re trying to do with his career at a young age. It’ll be a terrible shame if he goes somewhere and doesn’t kick on as a player. It’s slightly disappointing how far the situation has gone – but the only way I can see for him is out at the moment.”
Gerrard, who is due to make his debut for the MLS club in a friendly against Mexico’s Club America on Saturday, contrasted Sterling’s attitude with that of Jordan Henderson, who has been confirmed as the club’s new captain.
“Raheem and Jordan are at different ends of the scale,” he told BBC Sport. “Jordan’s so professional, he’s a winner, a great lad. He’s been loyal to the club by signing a new deal and I wish him well.
“I see a lot of my game in Jordan’s game and what I like about him is he’s very humble. I don’t think there’s a more fitting player to take that armband off me.”
Henderson told the club’s website: “I’m absolutely delighted and proud. It is a great honour and a huge privilege to be named as the captain of this club.
“When Steven wasn’t in the team last season, I tried to do the best I could when I stepped in and took the armband. Now I’ll be looking to carry that on and continue to grow as a captain. I’ll look to give my best all of the time, put the team firmly first and try to give them – or help them with – whatever they need from me.”
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