Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that he does not understand Liverpool fans’ hate for Raheem Sterling ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League clash, according to reports from the Daily Mail.
Sterling left the Reds via a £49million million deal for the Etihad in a drawn-out transfer saga last summer, and supporters have blasted the Englishman for his decision to depart.
The 21-year-old publicly said that he rejected a £100,000-a-week contract extension from Liverpool last year, a statement which irked the fans ever since.
And when the Reds played City in the Capital One Cup final this past weekend, the boos were heard all around Wembley with Sterling’s every touch.
However, Pellegrini is bewildered why he should receive this kind of treatment, claiming the fans should welcome back a player that almost helped them win the Premier League title just two years ago the way the Sky Blues respect James Milner.
Pellegrini said: “I do not understand why the Liverpool fans boo him because I think (James) Milner was very well received here in a similar situation.
“It’s not the best but I prefer to have those boos from the other team than from your own fans.
“It’s difficult for any player but all of them are prepared to do it without any problem. I don’t see Raheem worrying about that. I don’t have any problems trusting him.
“He will maybe receive the same treatment when he arrives at Anfield but I’m absolutely sure he can play without any problem.
“I don’t know which will be the starting XI o n Wednesday but one player I am sure will start is Raheem Sterling.
“It is important for him to play under pressure. I have 100 per cent trust in Raheem.”
The clash will be the first time Sterling has returned to Anfield since his summer switch.
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