“Raheem explained that for a very brief moment his emotions ran over. It would be correct to say that that was not the same for Joe.” With those words, and perhaps unintentionally, Gareth Southgate managed to sum up the latest instalment of the Liverpool-Manchester City rivalry pretty perfectly on Tuesday afternoon.
The England manager has been thrust into the centre of it after one of his star men, Raheem Sterling, chose to verbally and physically confront Joe Gomez in front of stunned team-mates in the players’ canteen at St George’s Park on Monday afternoon.
Sterling’s temper outburst means he will miss England’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro on Thursday. Gomez, who suffered a minor scratch to his face in the incident, will be available.
The Liverpool man, according to sources within the camp, should be praised for his maturity and restraint. Maybe he really is “the big man”, as Sterling suggested. Certainly the bigger one.
Sterling insisted in an Instagram post on Monday evening that “me and Joe are good”, but his angry reactions to Gomez, on and off the field, simply confirm what plenty have suspected for a while: the Premier League has a new inter-city rivalry, and one in which the bitterness is growing.
Liverpool’s win over Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday sent Jurgen Klopp’s team eight points clear at the top of the table, and sent Pep Guardiola into a tailspin. The City boss ensured meme fans were kept entertained with his animated protests to the match officials.
The phrases “thank you so, so much” and “twice, twice, twiiiiiiiiiiice!” will follow the Catalan around for some time, one suspects.
Guardiola is no stranger to this kind of rivalry, having managed Barcelona at a time when Jose Mourinho was at his devilish best, or worst, depending on your allegiance.
Mourinho, as Real Madrid boss, seemed to make it his mission to get under Guardiola’s skin. By the time Guardiola left Camp Nou in 2012, plenty believed Mourinho had achieved his goal. Real were champions, while Barcelona were looking for a new manager.
Liverpool-City cannot yet be compared to that feud, of course, and one hopes the pettiness doesn’t reach the level it did between Barca and Real between 2010 and 2012, when Clasico fixtures tended to resemble a 90-minute playground scrap.
Who will ever forget Mourinho’s cowardly eye-gouge on the late Tito Vilanova, or some of the theatrics of Pepe, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos and Sergio Busquets? Even Iker Casillas and Xavi, the kings of the all-conquering Spanish national team, lost their cool in that period.
Thankfully, we have not seen those kinds of scenes here.
Klopp may be passionate and wholehearted, but he is no Mourinho, and his reluctance to play ‘mind games’ with Guardiola has been clear to see. Last week’s comments about City’s “tactical fouls” were about as salty as the Liverpool boss got, despite seeing one of his players labelled a diver by his opposite number.
Instead, the enmity seems to be coming from the Etihad, where there is a genuine belief that Liverpool receive favourable treatment not only from the media, but from the Premier League and its referees too.
According to one source, their annoyance is beginning to border on obsession. Resentment lingers, understandably, from City’s visit to Anfield in the Champions League in 2018, when the visitors’ team coach was attacked and damaged by home fans outside the ground.
“Thank you so for protecting us,” Guardiola told police and stewards that night, with trademark sarcasm. He and his staff have not forgotten that night. And they certainly revelled in beating the Reds to the Premier League title back in May.
On social media, a video circulated showing City staff and players singing a version of ‘Allez Allez Allez’, the song which has become synonymous with Liverpool’s European adventures.
In this instance, the lyrics had been changed to reference Reds fans being “battered in the streets”, lauded Vincent Kompany for “injuring” Mohamed Salah and laughed that “the Scousers won f*** all.”
City issued a statement denying suggestions that “battered in the streets” referred to Sean Cox, the Liverpool fan left fighting for his life after being attacked before the Champions League semi-final against Roma in 2018, but it is significant that there was no apology after what was a pretty unsavoury incident.
Cox, incidentally, was well enough to attend Sunday’s game – his first at Anfield since the attack. His fight goes on. So does the battle, on the field, between Liverpool and City.
They are by far the best two teams in England, probably the best in Europe too. They have broken record after record, provided memorable moment after memorable moment. Games between the sides are fraught, tense and usually high on quality.
Between the players, and the two managers, there is respect and it is genuine. Klopp says Guardiola is the best manager in the world, Guardiola says Liverpool are the world’s best team. Salah and Kevin De Bruyne are friends, as are Fernandinho, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, Alisson Becker, Gabriel Jesus and Ederson, who regularly share a private jet when heading for international duty with Brazil.
Until Sterling’s ill-advised kick-off, the rivalry has stayed where it belongs; on the field. Whether that can last remains to be seen.
As we have seen before with Manchester United and Arsenal, as the stakes get higher so the ill-feeling grows. This is a different era, but Liverpool and City are in each others’ way, and inevitably that means tempers will fray, that things will be said and that situations like Monday’s will arise.
This season, Liverpool seem to be handling things better. It was they who kept cool heads on Sunday, while City’s players followed their manager’s lead. As Guardiola fumed, so too did Sterling, De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Sergio Aguero.
Sterling’s rage, we now know, spilled over into a second day. It’s cost him an England cap, and showed the rest of the world what Liverpool fans have been saying for a while. They’re under City’s skin. And the weekend’s evidence suggests they are there to stay.
hacaiopu
0
Hah even I feel the same about Liverpool.How can be a team who is bottling PL title for 30 years be city rivals?.
savage
Iamshadow
0
How can they be our rival when they have not won one UCL.
Hah even I feel the same about Liverpool.How can be a team who is bottling PL title for 30 years be city rivals?.
Kas
1
How can they be our rival when they have not won one UCL.
Baseman112
0
To be honest liberpool gonna win epl title this season bcause ref chose them the var chose them n now other club fight for top 4..[100percent]
Whenever I read such comments I become furious. Genuinely, how many matches have VAR benefitted LFC? All penalities win this season are genuine. None was controversial. For the city match, the decision was 50 50. The ball moves unintentionally from B. Silva's hand to TAA's hand. Assuming that chance found the back of the net, VAR was definitely going to rule the goal out. Those saying it's penalty are just against because the ball first hit B. Silva's hand. The second hand ball was so close and Sterling intentionally played to hit TAA's hand. In such a close range where shd TAA place his hand? Again it's unintentional. We Liverpool have been affected by a var decision during our game with Villa, we didn't complain but we rather fough to get what we deserved. S. Aguero was just trying to end his Anfield famine so decided to leave the ball and chase what he didn't see well himself. Assuming they had get over it and played well things might have changed. Champions don't complain, they fix. VAR and referees have nothing to do with out performances this season. Last season as at 12 games we had drew 3 teams. This season we have drew just a team. Just appreciate the Liverpool progress and make football a game of love rather than hating and wishing Liverpool bad. In any case, Liverpool will win the premier league. All haters and against know that this time we're winning but they can't appreciate! Whether you appreciate or not Liverpool will win... #YNWA
surajsharmag
0
Man it's after years later you have won a champions league don't show off city is much better
Hahah we won after 14 years City has not won in 125 years Lol Self proclaimed adviser
Ullas713
0
However city tries, they will never be our biggest rivals . They need to win champions league and more league to be called as our rivals. We can call city our rebound .
Man it's after years later you have won a champions league don't show off city is much better
Boubckpryz
0
Barclays are just sponsors only you fools
Still haven’t won the Barclays sponsored English first division based on your logic though 🤷♂️
dusaprsz
0
Never thought I would see this day...where little city and big Liverpool been rival that's all big Liverpool has to take the decision to start injured players... just to get one over little city....thought them things was reserved for big man u and big Liverpool rivalry....
Ibrahim1105
0
we did beat newcastle and southamton...hahahahaha
But not us
taudily
1
To be honest liberpool gonna win epl title this season bcause ref chose them the var chose them n now other club fight for top 4..[100percent]
Hukbikprz
0
but you still can't beat manu with your greatest team 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
we did beat newcastle and southamton...hahahahaha
usowiz
0
sorry mate. your rival now is newcastle united, southamton and cyrstal palace
but you still can't beat manu with your greatest team 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Hukbikprz
0
Yeah just like you boast about ur history
well. fill up your cabinet with more trophies first before boasting how great your city is. your only rich in your bank with mr oil. keep on spending 😂😂😂 and continue to lose to norwich wolves. hahahaha
GodiiDebruyne
0
Barclays are just sponsors only you fools
You have never won the EPL you fool
surajsharmag
0
However city tries, they will never be our biggest rivals . They need to win champions league and more league to be called as our rivals. We can call city our rebound .
Kebbcdeily
0
are u a historian?
Yeah just like you boast about ur history
Hukbikprz
0
Well don’t forget the 5-0 last year . 😂😂 That’s the fact. And we are the mighty champions and Liverpool are mere bottlers 🤪 come back barking when ur team wins it
are u a historian?
Kebbcdeily
0
[image]
Well don’t forget the 5-0 last year . 😂😂 That’s the fact. And we are the mighty champions and Liverpool are mere bottlers 🤪 come back barking when ur team wins it
Hukbikprz
0
I know how sad you are since your team bottled it last year and have never won the EPL. Don’t worry this year also you guys will bottle it
well MIGHTY LIVERPOOL 3 tiny man city 1. 😂😂😂. that is the fact
Kebbcdeily
0
enjoy your winless champion league....hahahahaha
I know how sad you are since your team bottled it last year and have never won the EPL. Don’t worry this year also you guys will bottle it
woklmnopr
0
United are Liverpool true rival ......city is just a shitty arrogant team trying to play with big boys
Barclays are just sponsors only you fools
Boubckpryz
0
United are Liverpool true rival ......city is just a shitty arrogant team trying to play with big boys
Liverpool won the English premier division 18 times but they haven’t won the the Barclays premier league since it conception in 1992
Yunbikmnos
0
Sorry Man United. Now our Biggest Rival is City. Not United anymore.
with your current form you failed to beat me thou😄
Lixy20
0
still Liverpool have won both cl and pl but u havent
U fool lfc never won epl
Ibrahim1105
0
Woah hold on... Liverpool ... dont leave us
No... pls no🥺
SolomonEscober
2
To be honest it has grown bigger than El Classico
Hukbikprz
0
last two years city top the league with more than 17 points difference from you.Only 9 points now you have won a race
last 2 years? why dont you talk about 20years ago when man city was playing in lDiv one? hahahahahaha
Diydkoz
0
United are Liverpool true rival ......city is just a shitty arrogant team trying to play with big boys
still Liverpool have won both cl and pl but u havent
mbahmanga
0
[image]
last two years city top the league with more than 17 points difference from you.Only 9 points now you have won a race
little09
0
city dont have history to remember..sterling and pep makes the headlines
mbahmanga
1
United are Liverpool true rival ......city is just a shitty arrogant team trying to play with big boys
true! that is why for 30 years the premier league was more than you.
Diydkoz
3
United are Liverpool true rival ......city is just a shitty arrogant team trying to play with big boys
Hukbikprz
0
Woah hold on... Liverpool ... dont leave us
sorry mate. your rival now is newcastle united, southamton and cyrstal palace
Hukbikprz
0
And bottle it at the end of the season. Mentality giants my foot
enjoy your winless champion league....hahahahaha
Kebbcdeily
0
[image]
And bottle it at the end of the season. Mentality giants my foot
zuzaeikmru
2
Guadiola and Klopp are both great coaches👏👏
ManUSlim
0
Great article!
Hodiknopry
0
From this bust up we see two best managers in Klopp and Pep. Till now not a single word or sour suggestion has come out from both of them. Thus the media has nothing print and it is going to resolve sooner.
Kristofferson
4
Sorry Man United. Now our Biggest Rival is City. Not United anymore.
araffatkhan
0
Liverpool is a top team it made rivaly with so much teams e.g. Man UTD / Real Madrid / Man City / Arsenal
Barcelona___?
SIRYOUNGPROV
7
Ibrahim1105
2
Woah hold on... Liverpool ... dont leave us
kishanyums
0
Right. Barcelona vs Real Madrid = EL Clasico Liverpool vs Man City = Annfield
what
AN-WAR
1
Right. Barcelona vs Real Madrid = EL Clasico Liverpool vs Man City = Annfield
ahmedhesham604
1
Liverpool is a top team it made rivaly with so much teams e.g. Man UTD / Real Madrid / Man City / Arsenal
Donniegift
2
stories ok
bizou650
1
Liverpool never be rival with City but United...😂🤣😂🤣 Afy trying creat impossible rival...
Frivic
2
And some one said Sterling has moved on That was too childish,He must mature .
Nuyckmnyz
2
Klopp:I'm gonna murder Guardiola Just look at his reactions😂😂😂