March 8 – Liverpool will host Manchester City on Sunday in a contest that could completely change the complexion of the Premier League title race.
Not only will the match decide who will end the match week at the top of the table, but it will also provide departing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s final chance to conclude his 7-year head-to-head battle with Pep Guardiola’s Man City by grabbing a crucial three points.
Players from both sides have taken to social media for some verbal sparring.
Liverpool fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will be absent for Sunday’s heavyweight clash due to injury, suggested Man City’s greater financial resources means their silverware does not mean as much to them and their supporters as it does to Liverpool and their fans.
Last time out, Alexander-Arnold scored an important late equaliser and christened it with a celebration appearing to shush the home supporters.
“It’s tough,” Alexander-Arnold told FourFourTwo. “We’re up against a machine that’s built to win – that’s the simplest way to describe City and their organisation.
“Looking back on this era, although they’ve won more titles than us and have probably been more successful, our trophies will mean more to us and our fanbase because of the situations at both clubs, financially.
“How both clubs have built their teams and the manner in which we’ve done it, probably means more to our fans.”
Man City are currently under investigation for 115 charges of breaching financial rules, with a trial date set for September 2025.
In response, Ballon d’Or runner-up Erling Haaland retorted: “I’ve been here one year and won the Treble and it was quite a nice feeling, I do not think he knows exactly this feeling. So yeah, that is what I felt last season and it was quite nice.
“They can talk as much as they want, or he can talk as much as he wants, I do not know why he does that, but I do not mind.”
The Norwegian has returned to his oh-so-familiar goalscoring form, scoring eight in his last five games. He will be hoping to carry this fine fettle into Sunday’s blockbuster in front of the Anfield crowd, ahead of hosting third-placed Arsenal in the next Premier League match after the March international break.
Both teams secured important victories in European competition earlier this week, as Manchester City progressed to the Champions League Quarter Finals with a 3-1 victory over Copenhagen, whilst Liverpool have one foot in the Europa League quarter finals after a convincing five-goal display versus Sparta Prague on Thursday.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1713958475labto1713958475ofdlr1713958475owedi1713958475sni@g1713958475niwe.1713958475yrrah1713958475