Manuel Pellegrini has told Raheem Sterling that he must learn to deal with vitriol from opposition fans if he is to become a top footballer.
Eight months may have passed, but Liverpool supporters have not forgotten the acrimonious circumstances in which Sterling left Anfield for City. That much was evident on Sunday when the England international received sustained abuse throughout City’s Capital One Cup final victory at Wembley.
Sterling will be subjected to yet more barracking tomorrow when he returns to Anfield for the first time since his departure, but Pellegrini has no intention of resting the 21-year-old for City’s Barclays Premier League match.
“We’ll wait and see what the starting XI is, but one player I’m sure will start is Sterling,” the City manager said.
“He’s starting his career and knows how to deal with the pressure. He will receive the same treatment [as he did on Sunday], but I’m absolutely sure he can deal with it.
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“I don’t have any worries. It is important for him to play under pressure. It doesn’t matter where or against who they play. I’ve 100 percent trust in Raheem. A player that cannot play in difficult environments will never be a top player.”
City go into the match on a high after their win on penalties at Wembley, but history suggests that they will find it hard to overcome Liverpool. City have won at Anfield just once in 35 years, but Pellegrini’s men will slip 12 points behind Leicester, the league leaders, if they lose at Liverpool and Leicester defeat West Brom tonight.
“It’s very important we get the three points,” Pellegrini said. “If we have a successful game on Wednesday we are going to be going for the title in the end.”
Pellegrini may have to do without Yaya Touré, who scored the winning penalty at Wembley, however.
“Yaya has a problem. He [took] a kick [to] his right foot so we will see tomorrow if he recovers 100 per cent,” Pellegrini said.