Saturday 2^nd  October 2021: Raheem Sterling will be hoping to be on the starting line up today as they hope to continue their impressive form away at unbeaten Liverpool and on one hand try to end his recent goal drought for Manchester city against his old club.

However, for probably the first time in his Manchester City career, he has to demonstrate that he is still one of the main men for Pep Guardiola.Anfield has never been a particularly happy environment for Sterling since his acrimonious departure in 2015.

On his first six returns, City lost five and drew the other 0-0 in a dismal game in 2018 that was unrecognisable from the usual exciting, adventurous football associated with Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola sides.

The close-range animosity hurled at Sterling from the Anfield stands that are tight to the touchline will be ever present, his every touch booed, clattering challenges from Andy Robertson and Alexander Arnold will also be wildly encouraged and trust the Liverpool fans to celebrate if he is  substituted early with glee.

We recall that his Liverpool misery finally ended last season with his first goal at his former club as City secured their first win at Anfield in 20 attempts.

That 4-1 victory, however, was achieved without supporters in the stadium due to the coronavirus pandemic and the only thing missing is to silence those febrile fans with another major impact.

Yet his recent loss of form suggests it will not happen this Sunday, with the 26-year-old fighting for his place in Guardiola’s thoughts.

Sterling has started just three Premier League and Champions League games this season and, in each, City have failed to score.

In a season when they are essentially playing without a senior striker, after failing to land a centre forward in the summer, it’s more important than ever that all of Guardiola’s forwards contribute.