London: Four months after quitting Liverpool for Manchester City, Raheem Sterling will have the first opportunity to justify the move by getting one over his former employers when the teams meet at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Sterling joined Manchester City in the close season in a deal worth up to £49 million, but the circumstances surrounding the transfer left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Liverpool fans.
Sterling’s relationship with Liverpool had soured in the lead up to the transfer after he gave an unauthorised interview to the BBC. His agent Aidy Ward also angered the club by saying the England winger would not sign a new deal at Anfield — even for 900,000 pounds a week.
Sterling has since said he has no regrets over quitting Liverpool and the Premier League table already offers some justification for the move.
Manuel Pellegrini’s City side are top of the league, level on points with Arsenal. Liverpool, on the other hand, are still settling down under new boss Juergen Klopp and are 10th.
City, who stalled with a goalless draw against bottom side Aston Villa last time out, could welcome back Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Pablo Zabaleta and Samir Nasri from injury.
Menawhile, City striker Sergio Aguero says he could return after seven games out because of injury for Saturday’s home match against Liverpool.
Aguero was injured while on international duty with Argentina last month. “I do hope I can play this game,” said Aguero, who was in full training this week. City leads the Premier League, on goal difference from Arsenal
Anthony Martial doubtful
Manchester United, who trail third-placed Leicester City by a point, face 11th-placed Watford with a doubt hanging over their rance striker Anthony Martial, who injured his foot in the 0-2 friendly defeat by England on Tuesday.
Martial’s left foot was bandaged as he hobbled out of the stadium, having been substituted in the 67th minute of the game.
