Rodgers the reason for Sterling exit desire

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It was reported on Wednesday morning that Sterling had asked to be omitted from Liverpool’s squad for their pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia, and the saga took a further twist later in the day when it was revealed the England forward did not train with his team-mates, citing illness.

He did, however, attend a 25-minute meeting with Brendan Rodgers at Melwood, in which, according to Sky Sports, he told the Reds boss the reason he wanted to leave this summer was not because of money or because of the club itself but because he does not wish to play for the Northern Irishman.

Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes the Merseysiders should now look to sell Sterling as quickly as possible.

“It is in both club’s interest that a deal is done quickly,” Hamann told talkSPORT.

“He wants to go to City, he has made that clear for weeks or months now and I don’t think Liverpool want him on the tour anyway because you want to concentrate on the players you will work with over the next 12 months. It is 99 per cent certain that he won’t be there.

“It is in Liverpool and Manchester City’s interest that a deal will get sorted because City will go away and Manuel Pellegrini will want him on their pre-season tour. Hopefully, something will be agreed.

“It would be daft to take him on the tour [against his wishes] because there is little to zero chance he will stay at Liverpool and it has to be resolved by Sunday, when they go to Asia.”