Steven Gerrard has described the Raheem Sterling situation at Liverpool as "very disappointing", while Jordan Henderson will replace the LA Galaxy man as club captain.
Want away England international Sterling has been absent from the last two days of the Reds' pre-season preparations at Melwood after reporting in ill, although he did appear at training today along with the rest of the squad.
It is understood Sterling spoke to manager Brendan Rodgers earlier this week to tell him he did not want to travel on the tour to Asia and Australia.
Liverpool have rejected a £40million bid for the 20-year-old from Manchester City and Gerrard, who made more than 700 appearances for the Reds before this summer moving to LA Galaxy, said: "I'm not happy with all that carry-on.
"I see a lot of my game in Jordan's game and what I like about him is he's very humble. I don't think there's a more fitting player to take that armband off me"
"He needs to go in and see the owners. You don't have to throw in illness, or refuse to go on tour. There are millions of Liverpool fans waiting to see Raheem pull on a Liverpool shirt.
"It looks very disappointing from where I'm sat. The fans have shown him great support, they want him to stay and I believe that he should too."
Gerrard continued on Sky Sports News: "It's very difficult for me to sit here and support him and the team around him...what they're trying to do with his career at a young age.
"It'll be a terrible shame if he goes somewhere and doesn't kick on as a player.
"It's slightly disappointing how far the situation has gone - but the only way I can see for him is out at the moment."
Gerrard, due to make his debut for the MLS club in a friendly against Mexico's Club America on Saturday, contrasted Sterling's attitude with that of Jordan Henderson, who has today been confirmed as club captain.
"Raheem and Jordan are at different ends of the scale," he told BBC Sport. "Jordan's so professional, he's a winner, a great lad.
#LFC's new captain - @JHenderson pic.twitter.com/FyBbQgMOp2
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 10, 2015
Gerrard continued: "Jordan's been loyal to the club by signing a new deal and I wish him well.
"I see a lot of my game in Jordan's game and what I like about him is he's very humble. I don't think there's a more fitting player to take that armband off me."
Henderson said: "I'm absolutely delighted and proud. It is a great honour and a huge privilege to be named as the captain of this football club.
"When Steven wasn't in the team last season, I tried to do the best I could when I stepped in and took the armband. Now I'll be looking to carry that on and continue to grow as a captain.
"I'll look to give my best all of the time, put the team firmly first and try to give them - or help them with - whatever they need from me."
Manager Brendan Rodgers added: "Jordan is someone who leads through example - through his actions, attitude and application. He shows total commitment to the game and is a role model professional.
"He is also greatly respectful of the great traditions associated with being Liverpool captain and the responsibilities that come with it. He has been blessed to learn first-hand from one of the greatest the club has ever had, in Steven Gerrard.
"Jordan has grown as a person and as a player since arriving at Liverpool and is ready to take up this challenge. He will be his own person, with his own style of leadership and his own ideas and methods."
