Manuel Pellegrini confident Raheem Sterling will sparkle on return to Anfield

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has backed Raheem Sterling to shine on his Anfield return as the England man play at Liverpool for the first time since his acrimonious £49m departure last summer.

The 21-year-old had a poor game when the sides met at the Etihad Stadium in November but performed much better against them - despite one dreadful miss in front of goal in Sunday’s Capital One Cup final at Wembley. In both matches, he took stick from sections of Liverpool fans.

Pellegrini said: “I don’t know which will be the starting XI but one player I am sure will start is Raheem Sterling.