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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola backs Raheem Sterling to silence Liverpool boo-boys
RAHEEM STERLING is ready to silence to the Anfield boo-boys, according to Pep Guardiola.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has backed Raheem Sterling to silence Liverpool boo-boys
The former Liverpool player endured a torrid first return to his former club last March when the hostile reception he received appeared to effect his performance and he was substituted at half-time of Manchester City's 3-0 defeat.
But Pep Guardiola believes Sterling will go back this time a far more confident player. He scored and had a hand in the other goal against Arsenal and followed up by winning a penalty and making one of the other goals at Hull.
Sterling was struggled when he returned to Anfield in the 3-0 defeat last season
"It is always difficult when the crowd is not on your side, they whistle, it is not easy," said Guardiola. "But it is part of his growth to become a better player.
"We are going to try and handle the situation. Obviously he must focus on what he has to do himself - that's the only way he can handle it. He's a fighter.
"In the first part of the season he was our key player up front. Then one month ago, he was a little bit down, two or three games where he wasn't aggressive like in the first part of the season. And then in the last two or three he came back and we need that.
Guardiola reckons Sterling will go back to Anfield a far more confident player
"We need his one-on-ones, his attacking with the ball, and when he is without the ball helping the back four.
"Of course he has talent but he has to learn a little bit more - when to play one or two touches, when to go. Sometimes he has to dribble a little bit more. But that's part of the process.
"I am delighted about what he had done until now. In the last two games he was decisive, the goal against Arsenal, the penalty against Hull when the game was tough, and we cannot forget he is so, so young."