Nasri slams `stupid` fans for booing Sterling

Sterling scored within three minutes of his first appearance for City on Tuesday night in Melbourne but had already been booed by that stage as he fell over the ball following his first touch of the game.

Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez was sad to miss out on the chance to work with Raheem Sterling at Liverpool.

And the striker wasted no time in making his presence felt – beating the offside trap to score in the third minute.

It looked as though City would hold onto their advantage until the 87th minute when Toure gave away a free-kick on the edge of the box and Ljajic fired past Hart. Sterling calmly slotted the ball past Morgan De Sanctis and into the back of the net.

It’s probably even less wise to do that when you’re Mario Balotelli, and the friend in question is Raheem Sterling. The formation for the contest also revealed the position in which it appears Sterling will be deployed under Manuel Pellegrini.

The Sterling fiasco hardly had a positive impact upon Liverpool’s season, and would not have boosted morale in the dressing room. This is his preferred position and it appears that this is where he will be utilized by City.

The forward with the middle name “Promise” is showing just that, with his finishing and movement looking sharp leading up to the start of the new season.

Quizzed on how strong a line-up he is likely to pick against City, the former Valencia, Inter and Napoli boss sought to manage the expectations of the 90,000 fans due to attend the final game. The fate of the team rested on the shoulders of Joe Hart. I am able to play for Man City now.

Iheanacho has yet to feature for City’s first team, but, with player-of-the-tournament honours in Nigeria’s successful Under 17 World Cup win in 2013, comes with a growing reputation.

Miralem Pjanic replied with a well-struck equaliser, but Sterling continued to impress at the Melbourne Cricket Ground until he was replaced at half-time.

Second-half goals from Samir Nasri and Pablo Zabaleta gave City to win 2-0 at the Olympic stadium in December to Rome to condemn the Europa League competition of the second degree.