Raheem Sterling tells Liverpool he wants to leave but club insist youngster is going nowhere
22:55, 18 May 2015 By James Pearce
Sources close to the player have revealed that he told Rodgers of his desire to move on before the recent 1-1 draw with Chelsea
Liverpool FC insist Raheem Sterling is going nowhere this summer - despite the unsettled youngster informing Brendan Rodgers that he wants to quit the club.
The Reds are adamant they have no intention of selling the 20-year-old England international, who has two years remaining on his current contract.
Sources close to the player have revealed that he told Rodgers of his desire to move on before the recent 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Carragher: I'd be embarrassed to walk into training if I was Sterling
Sterling wants to leave in search of Champions League football and to play for a club better equipped to compete for trophies. His camp have also accused Liverpool of leaking confidential details about contract negotiations.
However, Liverpool have responded by saying that their position remains unchanged and they don't intend to listen to offers for him this summer.
Sterling and his representative Aidy Ward have agreed to another round of talks with the manager and chief executive Ian Ayre later this week.
Liverpool hope they can convince him that his future remains at Anfield but they are ready to play hardball if he continues to push for a transfer.
Owners Fenway Sports Group refused Luis Suarez's request to join Arsenal back in 2013 when he tried to force through a move to the Emirates and they are ready to adopt a similar approach.
Manchester City, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have all been linked with Sterling.
His future has been the subject of intense speculation since he rejected Liverpool's offer of a five-year contract worth around £100,000 per week in March.
The former Queens Park Rangers trainee then gave an interview insisting that he was motivated by trophies rather than money.
Rodgers has always been confident that the contract stand-off would be resolved this summer.
Speaking earlier this month, he said: "We’re still pretty relaxed on it.
“The club will pick it up again with Raheem’s representatives in the summer.
“Everyone wants to win trophies and play in the big competitions. We will just reinforce what our stance has been all along.
“This is the best club for him at this moment where he has the opportunity to play, to fight and to be competitive.
“The owners are very much supportive of that. Raheem won’t be going anywhere in the summer, even if there isn’t a deal agreed.”
Sterling has scored 11 goals this season but his form has slumped dramatically in recent months. He has made headlines for all the wrong reasons after being pictured smoking from a shisha pipe and then inhaling laughing gas.
With Steven Gerrard leaving the club to join Los Angeles Galaxy this summer, Liverpool know they can't afford to lose another key player.
22:55, 18 May 2015 By James Pearce
Sources close to the player have revealed that he told Rodgers of his desire to move on before the recent 1-1 draw with Chelsea
Liverpool FC insist Raheem Sterling is going nowhere this summer - despite the unsettled youngster informing Brendan Rodgers that he wants to quit the club.
The Reds are adamant they have no intention of selling the 20-year-old England international, who has two years remaining on his current contract.
Sources close to the player have revealed that he told Rodgers of his desire to move on before the recent 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Carragher: I'd be embarrassed to walk into training if I was Sterling
Sterling wants to leave in search of Champions League football and to play for a club better equipped to compete for trophies. His camp have also accused Liverpool of leaking confidential details about contract negotiations.
However, Liverpool have responded by saying that their position remains unchanged and they don't intend to listen to offers for him this summer.
Sterling and his representative Aidy Ward have agreed to another round of talks with the manager and chief executive Ian Ayre later this week.
Liverpool hope they can convince him that his future remains at Anfield but they are ready to play hardball if he continues to push for a transfer.
Owners Fenway Sports Group refused Luis Suarez's request to join Arsenal back in 2013 when he tried to force through a move to the Emirates and they are ready to adopt a similar approach.
Manchester City, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have all been linked with Sterling.
His future has been the subject of intense speculation since he rejected Liverpool's offer of a five-year contract worth around £100,000 per week in March.
The former Queens Park Rangers trainee then gave an interview insisting that he was motivated by trophies rather than money.
Rodgers has always been confident that the contract stand-off would be resolved this summer.
Speaking earlier this month, he said: "We’re still pretty relaxed on it.
“The club will pick it up again with Raheem’s representatives in the summer.
“Everyone wants to win trophies and play in the big competitions. We will just reinforce what our stance has been all along.
“This is the best club for him at this moment where he has the opportunity to play, to fight and to be competitive.
“The owners are very much supportive of that. Raheem won’t be going anywhere in the summer, even if there isn’t a deal agreed.”
Sterling has scored 11 goals this season but his form has slumped dramatically in recent months. He has made headlines for all the wrong reasons after being pictured smoking from a shisha pipe and then inhaling laughing gas.
With Steven Gerrard leaving the club to join Los Angeles Galaxy this summer, Liverpool know they can't afford to lose another key player.
I've seen his full quote though and he didn't say that.
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