Liverpool: Jamie Carragher warns Raheem Sterling over 'reputation' amid Manchester City saga

Jamie Carragher believes Raheem Sterling's reported refusal to join Liverpool on their pre-season tour will only make the club "more determined to get the fee they feel the player is worth rather than caving" in to the wishes of Manchester City and the England international.

The future of the 20-year-old at Anfield has been under increasing scrutiny since he gave an unauthorised interview to the BBC in April to reveal he had rejected a new deal to commit his future to the club as he was not interested in money but to win trophies.

Manchester City have since been heavily linked with a move to secure his services but Sky Sports recently revealed Liverpool have rejected the two offers submitted by City – the latest one being around £40m – as Anfield officials want at least £50m to part ways with the player.

Sterling sparked speculation on Wednesday 8 July after missing the club's training at Melwood, reportedly through illness, just a day after The Guardian said he had informed the club he wants to be left out of the tour to the Far East and Australia to push for a transfer to the Eithad Stadium.

Carragher believes the last episode in the Sterling transfer saga may have been conducted by City in order to accelerate proceedings but it could have the opposite effect, while also risking the reputation of the player.

"Reports today suggest Raheem Sterling has told Brendan Rodgers he doesn't want to go away on the pre-season tour," Carragher wrote on Kicca.

"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 were 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 and Man City's wishes."