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Former Liverpool defender Steven Caulker has hit out at “lies spread by the national media”.

The Queens Park Rangers centre-back, who was on loan with the Reds last season, has been the subject of unwanted attention from The S*n in recent days regarding his relationship with girlfriend Lauren Merrick.

Caulker, who hasn’t played in the Championship since October, took to Instagram to issue a response and also angrily hit back at suggestions that a potential move to Lokomotiv Moscow collapsed on deadline day due to his wage demands.

“After trying for three days not to rise to the bait, we are both fed up and appalled by the lies spread by the national media,” he wrote.

“Firstly, ‘my’ stay in the hotel was alongside Lauren which the highly unprofessional hotel staff failed to mention. The reason for our stay was to get away from the press, harassing us and our neighbours daily for a story that doesn’t exist.

“Lauren has not said one single word to the media, so her ‘quotes’ written in the papers are absolute lies!!! Whilst on the subject of the outright lies spread mostly by the undeniable scum that is the S*n, it was MY decision to pull out of the Moscow deal because I was not fit - absolutely nothing to do with money.

“The media have ruined so many lives in order to make a few pennies, they aren’t going to continue to do that here.

“I’ve made mistakes in my life, that’s no big secret and I’m sorry to anyone I have hurt or offended along the way. I’m working hard to correct this and won’t let anything get in my way.”