BRING IT ON
City are in the mood to halt Reds’ title charge says defiant Sterling
RAHEEM STERLING says Manchester City can stop Liverpool’s title juggernaut when they collide on Thursday.
Sterling is undaunted about facing Jurgen Klopp’s rampant Reds, who have reeled off nine straight wins to open up a seven-point lead in the title race.
The England forward says City can be just as impressive and claims Pep Guardiola’s champions can beat any team in the top flight.
“If we can play the way we know we can play, we can beat anyone,” said Sterling. “It’s going to be a great game and we’re all looking forward to it.” Guardiola says the clash at the Etihad is a must-win as defeat would leave them 10 points behind. Klopp, left, won Liverpool’s last huge test against Guardiola when his side triumphed in both legs of their Champions League quarter-final last season, but Sterling says City are confident.
He claims their mood has been transformed by the 3-1 win at Southampton on Sunday, and felt it was the ideal response to
suffering back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Leicester.
Sterling, 24, claims the champions showed their character because they handled the pressure of this must-win game.
“We knew we had to win to give ourselves a chance,” he said. “It’s a massive step and just what we needed to do.
“We had two poor games and we knew we needed to win.
“Our last two results were difficult to take and we bounced back brilliantly. We owed it to ourselves and as a team to bring that level we know we can bring.”
Sterling had a hand in City’s second at St Mary’s when his shot was deflected in off James Ward-Prowse, and felt they showed the right mindset after looking so vulnerable in against Palace and Leicester. “The last three games we started well and scored the opening goal and then we were sloppy, but our mentality was good against Southampton and we showed a good fighting spirit,” he said.
“There was a bit of luck as well, but we played some great football and controlled the game, which we know we can do.
“It’s up to us to keep that focus and go on to the next one.”
Fernandinho returned from his groin injury after missing the Palace and Leicester games along with skipper Vincent Kompany, above, and Sterling says they bring huge experience to the side.
“It’s a massive boost,” he said. “They are two great leaders, two people who are really vocal and who have a massive impact on the team. It’s great to have them back.”