by Our Sports Desk

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling reportedly turned up for training yesterday after a two-day absence.

The unsettled forward is thought to have called in sick on Tuesday and Wednesday, further fuelling already considerable speculation over his future at the club.

The 20-year-old, the subject of two failed bids from Manchester City this summer, is believed to have asked not to travel on the club’s pre-season tour of Asia and Australia earlier this week.

Liverpool are due to fly out tomorrow before their first friendly against a Thai All Stars side in Bangkok next Tuesday.

The club’s relationship with Sterling has become increasingly strained since the player rejected a contract offer of £100,000 per week in January.

City have tried to take advantage of the situation but bids of up to £30 million and £40m have been rejected by Liverpool, who are thought to value him at £50m.

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who is preparing to make his debut for new club LA Galaxy this weekend, has expressed his disappointment over how the saga has developed this week.

Gerrard left Anfield at the end of last season after making more than 700 appearances for the club.

He told Sky: “I’m not happy with all that carry-on. He needs to go in and see the owners. You don’t have to throw in illness, or refuse to go on tour.

“There are millions of Liverpool fans waiting to see Raheem pull on a Liverpool shirt.

“It looks very disappointing from where I’m sat. The fans have shown him great support, they want him to stay and I believe that he should too.’’

Gerrard believes the affair is playing out badly.