Raheem Sterling phones in sick for Liverpool training after telling club he wouldn't go on pre-season tour in bid to force through £50m Manchester City move
* Raheem Sterling phoned Liverpool on Wednesday morning to say he is ill
* He explained he would be unable to report for pre-season training
* On Monday, Sterling told Brendan Rodgers he would not be coming on tour
* Liverpool travel to the Far East and Australia this coming Sunday
By
Dominic King for MailOnline
Published: 06:11 EST, 8 July 2015 | Updated: 08:37 EST, 8 July 2015
Raheem Sterling has failed to report for training at Melwood on Wednesday after he phoned in claiming he is sick.
The Liverpool winger informed manager Brendan Rodgers on Monday that he does not want to be included in the squad that will go to the Far East and Australia this coming Sunday, in his determination to force through a move to Manchester City.
Sterling was expected to report to the club on Wednesday but he telephoned in to say he would be unable to make it as he was feeling unwell.
Raheem Sterling failed to report for Liverpool training after phoning in sick on Wednesday
Liverpool's standard procedure is to send round a doctor in such circumstances to examine a player at their house and a member of the club's medical staff will visit the 20-year-old at some point to assess when he will be able to return.
Liverpool are refusing to comment on Sterling's absence but given what has happened in recent days, the England international's claims are sure to be greeted with cynicism from a wider audience.
Relations between Liverpool and Sterling have become increasingly strained as his contract stand-off has escalated. Manchester City have had two bids rejected for Sterling so far but are expected to return with an improved offer.
HOW IT ALL TURNED SOUR FOR RAHEEM STERLING AT LIVERPOOL
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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.