Raheem Sterling says he still loves Liverpool despite the Man City star's acrimonious transfer away from Anfield five years ago.
Sterling burst into the scene under Brendan Rodgers at Anfield when he played alongside Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in an exciting forward line that almost fired the Reds to the title in 2014.
As things stalled at Anfield, Sterling moved along the M62 to join Man City for £49m in 2015 after a long and bitter transfer saga.
Comments from his agent soured the relationship between the player and the Liverpool fans and Sterling has been subjected to loud boos on every return to Anfield since leaving.
Sterling has improved immensely under Pep Guardiola at City though, and has become one of the best players in the world while winning the Premier League and domestic cups.
Despite the Liverpool fans' opinion of him, the 25-year-old still admitted his soft spot for the Merseysiders during a live internet Q&A session - although he swerved answering a question on whether he could ever play for the Reds again.
Speaking via the Instagram account of his representatives Colossal Sports Management, Sterling said: "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, do you know what I mean?
"It's a team that (has) done a lot for me growing up so...."
Sterling has struggled when facing his former side, having scored just once for Man City against Liverpool, and that goal coming in the Community Shield, and winning just one of eight Premier League games played against his former employers.
Although he did not categorically rule out a return to Anfield, it would take something spectacular to see him return to Liverpool given not only his current team but his broken relationship with the Reds fans.
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