Carragher is a k***' - Ward hits out at Sterling critics

Raheem Sterling's agent Aidy Ward has rounded on the Liverpool forward’s critics, labelling former Reds defender Jamie Carragher a "k***".

Carragher blasted Sterling earlier this week, insisting that the England international needs to “keep his mouth shut” and change his agent.

"He needs to change his agent. That’s the one thing he needs to change. For a 20-year-old kid to be taking on Liverpool football club, it angers me to the pit of my stomach,” he said.

Ward, though, has now hit back at Carragher, and insists that the criticism of former players and pundits – including the likes of Emile Heskey and Phil Thompson – does not affect him.

"Carragher is a k***. Everybody knows it," he told the London Evening Standard.  "Any of the criticism from current pundits or ex-Liverpool players - none of them things matter to me. It is not relevant."

Ward - who, following publication of the interview by the Standard, reportedly distanced himself from the quotes - also declared on Thursday that no amount of money will be able to persuade Sterling to stay at Anfield this summer, while he expects a flurry of bids for his client from Premier League clubs when the transfer window reopens.