Raheem Sterling admits Liverpool affection after being asked if he would rejoin Reds

The 25-year-old joined Manchester City in an acrimonious £44m move five years in 2015

Raheem Sterling has scored 20 goals this season (Reuters)

Raheem Sterling admits he still has affection for Liverpool despite his acrimonious exit to join Manchester City five years ago.

The England forward made his name at Anfield before being prized away for £44 million in 2015, leaving both parties with ill feelings.

The 25-year-old has developed as a player at the Etihad, becoming a key part of Pep Guardiola’s side and winning many titles.

And Sterling dismissed any suggestion there is still bitterness from his side towards the Reds in a live Q and A session.

Although he dodged answering directly whether he would re-join the Merseysiders, Sterling moved to ease any tension by declaring his fondness towards the club.

David Villa believes Raheem Sterling has Pep Guardiola to thank for his rise at Manchester City (Reuters)

“Would I ever go back to Liverpool? To be honest with you, I love Liverpool,” Sterling said on the Instagram account of his representatives Colossal Sports Management.

“Don’t get it twisted, they are always in my heart, do you know what I mean?

“It’s a team that [has] done a lot for me growing up.”

City are set to be dethroned by the Reds this season though, with a 25-point gap between the reigning champions and Sterling’s former side.

Though the coronavirus has delayed that inevitability for the time being with the Premier League suspended until the end of April.

The Champions League final has also been postponed, with City primed to reach the quarter-finals after beating Real Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of their last 16 tie at the Bernabeu.