Sterling will shine against Kop: Pellegrini

Manchester: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has backed striker Raheem Sterling to put in a decisive performance against his previous club Liverpool when the two teams meet in the League Cup final at the Wembley Stadium today.

Manchester City midfielder Raheem Sterling. Pic/AFP

Sterling moved from Liverpool to Manchester City last July. "For every player it is never comfortable to play against an old team. Everyone has links, friends inside the club. But he is a professional player. He came here to win titles. I'm sure he will have a very good performance," the Chilean was quoted as saying by the British media yesterday.

"I don't think he has anything to prove. For him that motivation is good," Pellegrini said. "I hope he will be focused just on having a good performance and not thinking about the boos he receives during the game or what happened in the past."