Liverpool should let Raheem Sterling leave claims Bruce Grobbelaar

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar believes it is best for the club to offload contract rebel Raheem Sterling, claiming the player has "shot himself in the foot" with the way his situation has played out at Anfield over recent months.

Sterling, who scored 13 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions last season, is out of contract in 2017 but could depart the club during the next transfer window having already rejected the offer of a lucrative contract extension and agent Aidy Ward seemingly confirming in an interview with the London Evening Standard that he will not be penning new terms.

Having already seen two bids for the 20-year-old swiftly rejected as Liverpool hold out for a £50m ($78.7m) fee, Premier League rivals Manchester City are reported by the Daily Mail to be waiting in the wings with a third bid after manager Brendan Rodgers completed his fifth signing of a busy summer earlier in June in the shape of Hoffenheim's Brazil international Roberto Firmino.

The way events have unfolded regarding Sterling have left rather a sour taste in the mouths of many Reds supporters, with Grobbelaar effusive in his praise of the manner in which Rodgers has handled the situation and confident Firmino can act as a suitable replacement.

"I think Brendan Rodgers has actually played this very, very well," he told Perform as relayed by Goal. "For me, I think Sterling has shot himself in the foot. Yes he can play in Europe at City but he's not going to find it easier playing for City than at Liverpool.

"Having looked at all the trials and tribulations the youngster has caused Liverpool, it's best to get rid of him.

"He's shown himself not to be a team player with Liverpool. He wants to go somewhere else, so let him go. With the money for him, we've already acquired a player [Firmino] in a similar position for half his price who scores more goals."

While Sterling's long-term future remains unresolved, international teammate Nathaniel Clyne is close to completing his move from Southampton to Liverpool.

The right-back was pictured by the Daily Mirror yesterday (29 June) leaving a local hospital where he was believed to be undergoing a medical ahead of a £12.5m transfer to Merseyside.

Another imminent incoming at Liverpool is Sean O'Driscoll. According to Sky Sports, the ex-Nottingham Forest and current England U19 boss is expected to be announced as Rodgers's new assistant before the squad leave for their pre-season tour of Australia and Asia in July.

Colin Pascoe, who also worked with Rodgers at Swansea, was relieved of his duties along with first-team coach Mike Marsh earlier in June as part of a backroom reshuffle.