WE CAN BEAT ANYONE
Sterling: We got back on track with the vital win at Saints and know at our best..
RAHEEM STERLING insists 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 claims City can be just as impressive and says Pep Guardiola’s champions can beat any team in the Premier League.
“If we can play the way we know we can play, we can beat anyone,” said a defiant Sterling.
“It’s going to be a great game on Thursday and we’re all looking forward to it.”
Boss Guardiola (left) admits the clash at the Etihad is mustwin for City because defeat would leave them trailing Liverpool by 10 points.
The Blues failed their last huge test against Liverpool when they lost both legs of their Champions League quarterfinal tie last season, but Sterling insists they are confident. He claims their mood has been transformed by their 3-1 win at Southampton and he felt it was the ideal response to suffering back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Leicester City.
He claims the champions showed their character because they handled the pressure of this must-win game.
“It was massive to win and we knew we had to win to give ourselves a chance,” said Sterling, 24. “It’s a massive step and just what we needed. We had two poor games and we knew we needed to win to give ourselves a chance and we did just that.
“Our previous two results were difficult to take and I thought we bounced back brilliantly.
“I think we owed it to ourselves and as a team to bring that level we know we can bring.” Sterling (right) had a hand in City’s second at St Mary’s when his shot was deflected home off James WardProwse and felt they showed the right mindset after looking so vulnerable in those losses to 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 defeats along with skipper Vincent Kompany and Sterling says they bring huge experience to the team.
“It was a massive boost,” he added. “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.”
The last three games we started well and scored the opening goal and then were sloppy