Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has suggested that the club will be "more determined" to get a weighty fee for Raheem Sterling following reports that the youngster has refused to go on their pre-season tour.
Manchester City have had two bids, one of which is thought to be worth around £40m, rejected by the Merseyside outfit for Sterling, who has opted against signing a new contract at Anfield.
In order to push through a transfer, it is believed that Sterling has told manager Brendan Rodgers that he will not join the squad for pre-season trips to the Far East and Australia this month.
After hearing the news, Carragher raised concerns that the 20-year-old England international may struggle to brush off a negative reputation.
On Kicca, Carragher wrote: "Reports today suggest Raheem Sterling has told Brendan Rodgers he doesn't want to go away on the pre season tour. This at times comes from the club who are chasing the player, in this case Man City, who ask a player to try and force the move after having two bids that where unsuccessful, all clubs at times have asked a player to push a move through but even so it's still a story that doesn't reflect well on Raheem.
"He's starting to get a reputation that could be hard to rid himself of in the future, are Man City fans looking at the situation and thinking this could be us in a few years? I think this situation will only make Liverpool more determined to get the fee they feel Raheem is worth rather than caving in to Raheem's & Man City's wishes."
City are believed to be preparing a fresh bid of £50m.
Danielle Joynson
