Liverpool announce squad for preseason tour

Liverpool have confirmed the 30-man squad selected by Brendan Rodgers for the team’s pre-season tour of Thailand, Australia and Malaysia and wantaway striker Raheem sterling is surprisingly included in the squad while Mario Balotelli is not.

Screen shot 2015-07-11 at 19.22.35

The England star’s contract row has continued this week after he was absent from training on Wednesday and Thursday, citing illness, before returning on Friday.

He held face to face talks with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers this week where he was thought to have told him he will not be travelling to Australia and South-East Asia.

Sterling has not changed his stance that he wants a move away from the club and insists the breakdown in relationship between he and Rodgers is a fundamental reason.

However, Liverpool have now included him on their squad list as they prepare to fly out to Bangkok on Sunday for a trip that begins with a game against the Thai All Stars next week.

New signings James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan and Joe Gomez will all travel out with the squad – although Mario Balotelli hasn’t been included.

Brazilian’s Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho will miss the tour as they just finished playing in the Copa America but that is not the case with Mario Balotelli,Fabio Borini and Jose Enrique who were all left behind.

According to the Liverpool Echo this was decision made by Brendan Rodgers and that all three players have been told that are they are free to leave the club should a suitable offer arrive.

ARIS