Raheem Sterling’s hat-trick the start of goal blitz for Manchester City, says Manuel Pellegrini

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes Raheem Sterling can be more prolific for his new employers than he was for former club Liverpool.

Sterling scored the first hat-trick of his senior career as City beat Bournemouth 5-1 on Saturday to stay top of the Premier League, and Pellegrini praised the England forward – who could cost City up to 49 million pounds (HK$586 million) – for his contribution.

Moved into a central role in the absence of the injured Sergio Aguero, Sterling took his goal tally for City to five and Pellegrini thinks he can go well beyond the 11 goals he mustered for Liverpool last season.

“I think it was important for Raheem to score three goals,” said the Chilean, whose side visit third-place Manchester United in the Manchester derby next weekend.

“He’s a very young player and I’m sure he will continue improving in the future. I don’t think he’s a striker in the way that Kun [Aguero] or [Wilfried] Bony is. But he’s a player who must improve his finishing.

“I said when he arrived here that he must improve. I’m sure this season he will score more goals than in previous seasons when he played for Liverpool.”