Former Liverpool player Steve Nicol has stated that Raheem Sterling deserves abuse from Liverpool fans when Manchester City play the Reds on Saturday evening.

The Anfield legend believes that Liverpool fans should boo their former player, in his first game against his former club since an acrimonious £49m move to the Citizens.

"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 six months at Liverpool," Nicol told talkSPORT.

"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 will give him just a little taste of what waits for him at Anfield."

City keeper Joe Hart said this week that the boos will not affect his teammate, while Jamie Redknapp believes that Sterling will not care if he receives stick from Reds supporters.