Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling has refused to rule out returning to Liverpool one day. The 25-year-old controversially left Anfield in 2015 for £49m amid a war of words between his agent and the Reds’ hierarchy.
Asked whether he would ever return to the team that gave him his senior debut, Sterling replied that he still loved the Merseyside club:
“Would I ever go back to Liverpool? To be honest with you I love Liverpool. Don’t get it twisted, they are always in my heart. It’s a team that done a lot for me growing up so…”
Whether Liverpool fans would ever want him back, though, is another matter entirely. Most supporters on Twitter would not like to see him return in the future:
we would never want you back
— Stuie Bibby (@stuiebibsta) March 24, 2020
No thanks.
— Kene ? (@Its_Kene) March 24, 2020
He wouldn’t play not with Mane and Salah ahead of him
— Robert Connon (@tartanmarvel89) March 24, 2020
No thanks. Was glad when he left. Incredibly frustrating with poor finishing. Not much better now either.
— AK (@AKayani07) March 24, 2020
Don’t want him back?
— Adam Kenny (@AKEN44) March 24, 2020
Would anyone like to actually see him back??
— Bhavik Ghelani (@bhavikghelani) March 24, 2020
But we don’t want him so…..
— ?’Cambers’??????? (@chamberssheldon) March 24, 2020
Sounds like somebody wants champions league football ???
— Mikey Nolan (@_mikeynolan) March 24, 2020
There was a lot of acrimony surrounding Sterling’s departure five years ago, and some of that bitterness still lingers among the fanbase.
The likelihood of the England international ever returning is rather low anyway with the player currently negotiating with Manchester City over a new contract. His current deal at the Etihad expires in 2023 but the Citizens are keen to tie him down for even longer.