Wantaway midfielder Sterling named in Liverpool squad for Bangkok friendly
Controversial midfielder Raheem Sterling is in the Liverpool squad for their Far East and Australia preseason tour.
The trips begins in Thailand where Liverpool will play a friendly against the True All-Stars team at Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium on Tuesday.
According to organisers of the Bangkok match, the other stars in the 30-player squad include new captain Jordan Henderson, Martin Skrtel, Joe Allen, Lucas Leiva, Adam Lallana, and new signings Danny Ings, James Milner and Nathanial Clyne.
Roberto Firmino, another new signing, and Philippe Coutinho are not in the squad as they are given an extended break after playing for Brazil in the Copa America.
Mario Balotelli will not join the tour following the death of his father.
Earlier, British media reported that Sterling will be removed from the Liverpool first team and forced to play for the reserves if Manchester City do not sign the midfielder as the club stand firm on their desire not to sell him.
The England international wants to leave Liverpool with City leading the race to land the 20-year-old, and they’re expected to launch a third bid of £40 million plus £4 million in add-ons this weekend, according to the Mirror.
But with Liverpool adamant that they will not sell Sterling for less than their £50 million valuation, the club are considering banishing the wantaway youngster from Rodgers’ first team and leaving him in the reserve squad.
Sterling missed two days of preseason training in the past week after returning from the players’ summer break.
Sterling was part of the club’s training plans on Friday as the players took part in two sessions before and after lunch, while they also enjoyed a group meal at a nearby hotel.
However, Sterling’s desire not to go on the pre-season tour could have serious ramifications as the club are considering their legal position.
The Professional Footballers’ Association are ready to stand by as mediators, with the club uncertain over the level of punishment they can administer should Sterling fail to show up today when the squad will fly out to Thailand.
With Liverpool owners John Henry, Mike Gordon and Tom Werner seriously unimpressed with the attitude of Sterling and his agent Aidy Ward, the club are willing to banish the midfielder from their first-team plans for the foreseeable future and reopen negotiations over his departure in January.
With two years left to run on his contract, Liverpool are in no rush to sell him, and being dropped to the reserves would likely result in serious issues over his England career as manager Roy Hodgson would have to consider dropping him from the national team due to a lack of football.
Rodgers’s relationship with Sterling appears to have strained since the player turned down a lucrative new contract worth £100,000 per week in January this year.
Meanwhile, former Liverpool midfielder Gary McAllister has been appointed the club’s first team coach as part of Rodgers’ new coaching staff, the club said yesterday.
The 50-year-old won the FA Cup, Uefa Cup and the League Cup in 2001 during two seasons as a player at Anfield and has since been manager of both Leeds United and Coventry City.
“Gary has a special connection with this club and its supporters, and I’m delighted he is joining our team as first-team coach,” Rodgers told the club’s website.
“When I met him I was struck by his passion, enthusiasm and knowledge for what we’re looking to achieve here.
“He has experience coaching at the highest level and is someone who can connect with players and help them learn from his knowledge and understanding of representing this great club.”