adminLONDON. — 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 tomorrow. Sterling joined City in the close season in a deal worth up to 49 million pounds, 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 English Premier League table already offers some justification for the move.
Manchester City’s Gael Clichy has heaped praise on Sterling, backing the youngster to continue his impressive form in future. Sterling made a big-money move from Liverpool at the start of the campaign, and after a slow start, has now scored six goals and provided three assist in 16 matches across all competitions for the Citizens.
Teammate Clichy feels the 20-year-old has found his feet in Manchester, and backs him to become a bright prospect for the England national team as well. “You need time to adjust when you come to a new club and a new way of playing football,” Clichy said. “Liverpool is a great club, City is a fantastic club. You need time.
“Some players like Kevin De Bruyne can turn up and they are ‘on it’, others need a bit more time and Raheem was probably one of those, but the last four weeks he’s been really impressive. “If he carries on the way he’s doing I’m pretty sure he’s going to be a tremendous player for England.”
Clichy himself has endured a tough start to the new season and is yet to feature for City following a lengthy injury lay-off, yet insists he is still happy at the Etihad. “It’s an honour to be part of this club,” the left-back said. “I’m just going to be focused on trying to stay fit, and the rest is in the future.
“If I can extend my contract it would be a pleasure, if not I’ll have to look for something else.” City take on Liverpool in a high-profile English Premiership clash tomorrow night. 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. Nasri has ruled himself out of action for three months due to a hamstring injury but insists he will return “better than ever”.
Nasri strained his hamstring in City’s 5-1 over Bournemouth on October 17 and has not played for the club since, though manager Pellegrini was hopeful he would recover in time for tomorrow’s Premier League clash at home to Liverpool. In addition to the Liverpool game, Nasri is set to miss several other important league matches, including against Southampton on November 28 and Arsenal on December 21.
“What doesn’t kill you make you stronger. I will be back better than ever see you in 3 months,” the 28-year-old said on Twitter on Wednesday, while a picture on his Instagram account showed him on crutches.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six league games but visit West Bromwich Albion tomorrow looking to mend the defensive frailties that nearly cost them defeat by local rivals Tottenham Hotspur before substitute Kieran Gibbs rescued a point.
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 2-0 friendly defeat by England at Wembley on Tuesday.
Michael Carrick could also be missing for United after suffering ankle ligament damage in England’s 2-0 defeat in Spain on Friday. High-flying Leicester City sit one point behind the leaders and visit Newcastle United, who are one place and two points outside the relegation zone. — Reuters.
Online Reporter