Rodgers says no hard feelings toward Sterling after exit

BANGKOK — Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insisted today (July 13) that there are no hard feelings between him and Raheem Sterling after the club agreed to sell the winger to Manchester City.

Liverpool arrived in Bangkok today (July 13) on its preseason trip to Thailand, a day after the club reached a deal with City to sell Sterling for 49 million pounds (S$103 million).

While the deal has yet to be finalised, Rodgers confirmed that it “will go through” after Sterling undergoes a medical.

Liverpool initially said it would not sell Sterling even after the winger turned down a new deal during last season. Sterling then refused to go on the Thailand trip as he agitated for a move.

Rodgers, however, said there was nothing personal about the move.

“Raheem and I remain very strong in our relationship and have been right up until we left,” Rodgers said. “There’s no issue, no problem. He will move on.”

Rodgers does have new signings James Milner, Danny Ings and Nathaniel Clyne with him on the trip as Liverpool prepares to take on Thailand All Stars tomorrow. With Steven Gerrard having left the club for the Los Angeles Galaxy and Jordan Henderson having taken over as captain, Rodgers has plenty of work to do to get the team ready for the start of the Premier League season.

“Obviously we are very pleased with the players that we brought in. We wish to be much stronger and more competitive than the last season,” Rodgers said. “And that will have to rely on everyone. At the start of the season in terms of this first week, the focus has been very strong.” AP