Raheem Sterling chills out on the beach as pictures emerge of Liverpool star ‘inhaling laughing gas again’ in Ibiza

Raheem Sterling was allegedly caught on camera during holiday in Ibiza
The Sun said Liverpool star was filmed with a pink balloon in his mouth
Footage emerged in April appearing to show him inhaling nitrous oxide
Liverpool rejected a £40m bid for England forward from Manchester City

Published:
23:52 GMT, 18 June 2015

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Updated:
00:45 GMT, 19 June 2015

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Raheem Sterling appeared to be enjoying his summer break in Ibiza despite his latest ‘laughing gas’ controversy and speculation about his future.

The 20-year-old has allegedly been caught on camera inhaling nitrous oxide, just three months after being warned about his conduct by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

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Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling has been enjoying a holiday in Ibiza

Sterling was filmed on a yacht in Ibiza where it appears he is inhaling the substance — known as laughing gas — through a balloon.

In the latest footage, the England international can be seen laughing and dancing on holiday with male and female friends, according to The Sun.

It is an entirely legal practice, but after similar footage emerged in April, Rodgers warned that he did not think a professional footballer should be doing it. Sterling was also pictured smoking a shisha pipe. Rodgers said at the time: ‘Young players make mistakes, as long as they learn from them, that is what is important. I don’t think it is something you should be doing, it’s as simple as that. We want players here who are super-professional and focused on their football.’

Sterling was all smiles on the beach with pals in Ibiza despite ‘laughing gas’ controversy

It is illegal to sell nitrous oxide to those under 18 in England and Wales. Stephen Ream, from drugs charity Re-Solv, said: ‘As an international footballer, there are concerns about the message his behaviour is sending out.’

Liverpool declined to comment on Thursday.

Of course, Sterling may not be a Liverpool player when he returns from his holiday, with Manchester City intent on signing him — though they have had a £40million bid rejected.

Sterling may well have some explaining to do when he returns home from his holiday

Meanwhile, Martin Skrtel has ended speculation about his future and agreed a new deal at Anfield. The Slovakian defender, who has been at Liverpool since January 2008, had entered into the final 12 months of his contract and had been at loggerheads over the terms. He described one offer as ‘unacceptable’.

During the impasse in discussions, he had been a target for Inter Milan, but Skrtel is now ready to sign a deal when he returns from his holidays.

Liverpool, who are due back in training on July 6, also expect to complete the signing of Charlton and England Under 19 defender Joe Gomez. He is due to have a medical on Merseyside today.

Nathaniel Clyne should also move to Anfield now that Southampton have signed a replacement right back in Cederic Soares, on a four-year deal. Liverpool’s opening bid for Clyne, somewhere below £10million, was rejected.

Manchester City have had a second bid of £40million rejected for the England international

One of Sterling’s pals sported a colourful pair of sunglasses during the sunshine break

Liverpool have rejected Manchester City’s second transfer offer of £40million for Raheem Sterling

Sterling seems destined to exit Anfield after turning down a new contract offer from Liverpool earlier this year

WHAT IS NITROUS OXIDE AND WHAT ARE THE RISK OF INHALING IT?

Nitrous oxide is a gas that can make people feel relaxed, euphoric and giggly, leading to its nickname ‘laughing gas’.

It is not illegal to be in possession of the substance, sometimes also known as ‘hippy crack’, although it is prohibited from being sold in England and Wales to under-18s if there is a risk they will inhale it.

Abusing nitrous oxide can lead to oxygen deprivation resulting in loss of blood pressure, fainting and even heart attacks.

While the gas can be legitimately used for pain relief in dental procedures, in engines to make them perform better, and in aerosol cans to prevent food going off, there have been concerns at its use as a so-called legal high.

Nitrous oxide has led to 16 deaths in the last five years as users can asphyxiate as they inhale the drug

A Home Office campaign last year on the risks of legal highs showed that laughing gas was the second most popular drug among young adults in 2013/14 after cannabis, being more widely used than powdered cocaine and ecstasy.

Research by the Local Government Association also described as ‘deeply disturbing’ the notion that many young people view nitrous oxide as safe, despite it being linked to a number of deaths.

Seventeen-year-old Joseph Benett suffered a cardiac arrest after taking the popular party drug in 2012. The promising art student fell into a coma and later died.

In September last year three revellers became ill at a nightclub in Bolton after suffering a suspected bad reaction to laughing gas.

Police were called to Royal Bolton Hospital amid reports the patients were suffering from the effects of drug ingestion.

It was thought they may have inhaled nitrous oxide, but they were said at the time to be recovering well.