Raheem Sterling: Brendan Rodgers coy on signing replacement for Manchester City-bound winger

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has refused to discuss whether the club will attempt to sign a replacement for Raheem Sterling, after confirming the England international will join Manchester City.

The Mirror reported on 12 July that Sterling will move to the Etihad Stadium in a £49m ($76.1m) deal, having rejected a new contract offer. The winger is due to have a medical on 13 July ahead of joining up with his team-mates on City's pre-season tour of Australia.

Confirmation of the deal ends months of speculation regarding Sterling's future at Liverpool and attention now turns to how Rodgers will re-invest the money in the transfer market, having already signed six new players this summer.

But the Reds boss has rebuffed questions regarding Liverpool's transfer plans and instead wants to concentrate on the start of the club's summer schedule, which has seen them travel to Thailand for the first leg of their pre-season preparations.

"It was important to improve and build the squad for the season," said Rodgers, according to the Liverpool Echo, upon the club touching down in Bangkok. "We're very pleased with the players we've brought in.

"My only interest is to talk about players who are with us here on the tour. They're the most important. They're here to work and prepare for pre-season.

"I don't really want to go into that in a press conference. I spent a lot of last season talking about transfers, and I don't intend to do that this season. Any business that we do will be done behind the scenes. When a player signs, you'll be the first to know.

Sterling's agent Aidy Ward has been at the centre of the furore regarding Sterling, with the forward's representative regularly inflaming relations between Liverpool and the player with unsolicited comments in the media.

Ward claimed on 9 July that Sterling's relationship with manager Rodgers had led to him demanding a move away from Merseyside but the Liverpool boss has moved to quell speculation that there was a falling out between the pair.

"Situation currently is simple," he said. "Club has agreed with another club a deal for Raheem to be transferred. Subject to medical that will go through.

"Contrary to the last week or so, in terms of what was written, Raheem and I have always remained very strong in our relationship, and have been up until he left. There's no issue there."

The Northern Irish boss added: "At this moment in time, it's only about the players that have travelled. I spoke to Raheem at length yesterday, so there's no issue. The two clubs have agreed a deal, and he will move on. But at this moment in time the interest is with the players that are here.

"The key for us is the overall team. Individuals like Raheem will have benefited from the team. We aim to be much stronger and more competitive than we were last season, and we're relying on everyone.

"The focus has been really good, the start has been strong. Hopefully we can remain that way over pre-season and take that confidence."