Exclusive – Raheem Sterling ‘deserves’ to be booed by Liverpool fans, believes Reds legend Steve Nicol

Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has told talkSPORT Raheem Sterling ‘deserves’ to be booed by Reds fans when they travel to face Manchester City on Saturday.

The two clubs will go head-to-head this weekend for the first time since Sterling’s ugly Anfield exit in the summer.

Once beloved by the Reds faithful, the 20-year-old England international turned his own fans against him by pushing through a big-money move to City in a drawn-out and bitter transfer saga.

The build-up to Saturday’s clash - talkSPORT’s exclusive commentary game on Saturday night - has been dominated by the spiky reception that lies in wait for the youngster.

And Anfield great Nicol believes Sterling deserves to be given a hard time by Liverpool fans.

He told Extra Time: “Sterling was only at the club for a short period of time but he certainly made enough enemies with the carry on over his last sixth months at Liverpool.

"I think he’s fortunate that this tie falls in Manchester and not in Liverpool. I still think he’s going to get a lot of booing and a lot of noise when he touches the ball.

“And quite frankly, he deserves it.

“I don’t remember a former Liverpool player who was ever given a hard time by the fans. I think the Liverpool fans appreciate what most past players gave to the club.

“But this kid is in for a surprise. I don’t think he’s quite got the experience to handle it yet and it’ll give him just a little taste of what waits for him at Anfield.”

Tune in from 5:45pm on Saturday for live commentary of Manchester City v Liverpool ONLY on talkSPORT