Liverpool rejected a £40million bid from Manchester City for Raheem Sterling, leaving his camp fearing there will not be another offer.
And after seeing his club’s nightmare run of away games to start next season, the England man might be more desperate to leave Anfield than ever.
The 2015-16 season fixtures were released yesterday and Liverpool must travel to five of last season’s top six — as well as Merseyside rivals Everton — in their first seven Premier League away games.
It is understood City continue to look at other English options such as Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere and Aston Villa’s Fabian Delph, if they cannot get 20-year-old Sterling. If City do come back for him it seems they are going to have to pay above their valuation, and somewhere near Liverpool’s asking price of £50m.
Wednesday’s bid was understood to be £35m cash and £5m in add-ons, something that flew in the face of Liverpool’s desire for a 100 per cent cash up front deal.
City are in dire need of English players as they look to meet Uefa criteria and will sign 18-year-old Fulham forward Patrick Roberts in the coming days. He is expected to go straight into City’s Under 21 development squad.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, meanwhile, has a tricky start to the season to contend with and it is perhaps the prospect of a return to Stoke City on the opening day which could prove most daunting.
Rodgers saw his side beaten 6-1 at the Britannia Stadium on the final day of last season to leave him clinging to his job, and he knows he can ill-afford a stuttering start this time around.
Elsewhere, Chelsea kick off their title defence at home to Swansea before travelling to last season’s runners-up, Manchester City, on the second weekend.Louis van Gaal faces a fairly comfortable August, with Manchester United’s trickiest test in their opener at home to Tottenham.– Daily Mail