Monday 13 July 2015 14:58, UK
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has denied that there has been any fall-out with Raheem Sterling, who is on the verge of completing his move to Manchester City.
The transfer of the 20-year-old England winger is still subject to contract negotiations and a medical but the clubs have agreed a fee which Sky sources understand is £49m.
Sterling had asked to leave Anfield and was the subject of two bids from City in June, which were rejected. The player was reported to have said that the breakdown of his relationship with his manager was one of the reasons for wanting to leave.
Rodgers said: "The situation currently is simple. The club has agreed with another club a deal for Raheem to be transferred. Subject to a 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 is no issue there."
Rodgers has already been busy in the transfer market and new boys James Milner, Danny Ings, Nathaniel Clyne, Joe Gomez and Adam Bogdan are with the squad on the tour.
Roberto Firmino is still on holiday following the Copa America but Rodgers is delighted to have secured the services of the Brazil international from Hoffenheim.
Rodgers said: "He's a top class player. He's played in Europe, so he understands it.
"There's no pressure. He'll come in to the PL, and it will take time to adapt. But he has all the traits and the profile that we would want. He works hard, has talent and can score goals. We're really excited.
"It was important to improve and build the squad for the season. We're very pleased with the players we've brought in.
"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 into the new season."
Liverpool missed out on Champions League football with a sixth-place finish but Rodgers refused to be drawn on what his target is for the season.
He said: "At this moment in time, our objective is to get as fit as we possibly can. And then next season, the target is to be the best that we can possibly be."
Jordan Henderson will assume the captaincy following Steven Gerrard's departure and Rodgers is confident the England international, now with more than 130 club appearances under his belt, will be up to the task.
He said: "In my time, Jordan has improved very much as a player. What you get from him is that he's loyal, honest and a young player that's on the up. He still has great improvements to make, but he's wonderful role model for the club. He's learnt off Stevie, but he will have his own methods and ideas. I'm very sure he will respond to the captaincy in a positive way."
Liverpool will be playing the first match of their Far East tour against the Thai All Stars for the True Super Trophy on Tuesday (2.00pm UK time).
After Thailand, they will travel to Brisbane and then to Adelaide, before facing a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur.
Their final match before the start of the pre-season will be in Helsinki.
