Liverpool host Man City in a defining moment in the Premier League title race as Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola conclude their top-flight rivalry on Sunday.
Man City have won five out of the past six Premier League titles but Liverpool have been their main rivals over the last decade, snatching the crown in 2020.
The two teams are once again locked in a tussle at the top of the table, with leaders Liverpool ahead of the champions by a single point before Sunday’s clash at Anfield.
Liverpool have an eye-catching record against Man City at their home ground, with the visitors winning just once at Anfield since 2003 — in front of empty stands during the coronavirus pandemic in 2021.
Liverpool vs Man City: Both coaches speak
Liverpool’s Klopp said playing at home would be a “massive, massive” factor, though he added it was too early to label the match a title decider.
He was also asked about comments from defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who said in an interview this week that trophies mean more to Liverpool than to Abu Dhabi-backed Man City.
Man City players Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias hit back by pointing out that Alexander-Arnold did not know what it was like to win the treble.
Klopp said: “He (Trent) was born in Liverpool… he played through all the youth teams. What would you think in that situation?
“One of our slogans, which I love, is ‘This means more’ and it means more to us. We have no clue exactly 100 percent what it means to other people.
“It’s just how he feels, how we feel and I’ve absolutely no problem with that.”
Guardiola refused to get drawn into the war of words.
“They defend the club not by responding to this guy but what they have done for many years on the pitch every three days,” he said. “That is the best way.
“I could answer him (Alexander-Arnold), but why? It is what it is.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we have done and I don’t need that to prove to me what my players really feel and are trying to do it.”
Source: Vanguard News