Pep Guardiola has backed his players to perform on the pitch after refusing to get drawn into their war of words with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Liverpool defender has added spice to this weekend’s crunch Premier League title clash against Guardiola’s City by claiming that winning trophies means more to the Merseyside club.
City players Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias hit back by pointing out Alexander-Arnold has not won the treble – therefore suggesting he could not know how the Manchester club feel – but Guardiola does not want to add fuel to the fire.
Erling Haaland has hit back at Trent Alexander-Arnold
Instead, he will simply encourage the champions to do their talking on the pitch in an encounter that could have a huge bearing on the destiny of the Premier League title.
The City manager said: “I’m so happy with my players, all the time, over many, many years.
“Do you think we’re not going to fight because Erling and Ruben talk? Without these talks we will not fight?
“We are there and, after what happened over the last years, we are going to try again tomorrow and do a good game.
“They defend the club not by responding to this guy but what they have done for many years on the pitch every three days. 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.”
Guardiola was asked further about Alexander-Arnold’s comments as he held his pre-match press conference on Friday but simply wished the England international well.
Alexander-Arnold has been sidelined with a knee injury for the past month and is not expected to feature on Sunday.
He said: “I wish him well. I wish him a speedy recovery and to come back to the pitch as soon as possible.”
Jurgen Klopp wil lbe facing off against Guradiola for the 30th time
The match renews one of the great managerial rivalries of recent times as Guardiola comes up against Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, but what will be their 30th meeting could be the last for some time.
Klopp is standing down at Anfield at the end of the season and Guardiola has acknowledged the role the German has played in driving him on.
The Spaniard said: “From the way he makes his teams play football, you always learn. It was always a pleasure to play against him and it will be on Sunday too.”
Guardiola is not sure it will be the last time the pair face each other but, regardless, hopes they can meet socially at some stage in the future.
Guardiola has a rare losing record against Klopp, with 12 defeats and 11 victories against the Reds boss and added: “We might play in the FA Cup and, the future, nobody knows. He’s young, I’m young, so I don’t know.
“Sometimes (we meet) in the corridor before press conferences but when we were honoured in the Hall of Fame years ago we spent time with families but, in terms of lunch or dinners, it never happened.
“We have to decide who pays, that’s why we didn’t do it! I think it’s going to happen sooner or later, I would love it but we’ll see.”
LFTB
0
City must just swallow the fact that they had and did outspend other teams in EPL to achieve what they achieved period. I doubt Guardiola and City could become who they are today without the backup ng of the heavy Catari financial outlay and outspending rivals to best talent. Who was City in EPL before the Catari oil money investment’s really? Remember history can’t just be erased so easily as some of us may wish. If you are true City fan you must know the reality
You are stupid man very much stupid, What does City have over PSG, Madrid, Bayern and of course the past United and Barca, don't they use to spend???? oh why are you so blind?
LFTB
0
City was behind Manu, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and the others, because those club were the big spenders back in the day... Manu have the biggest history in EPL, because historically they have been the biggest spenders in EPL over the years.... you all dunce fans always find ridiculous excuses when your teams are losing.
gents, where do you get meaningful responses? 🔥🔥
LFTB
0
You speak as an aggrieved and irresponsible fan.How many trophies did PSG accumulate with the oil money they have.There is Newcastle too, how many trophies are they collecting.You want to pretend as if you LFC were getting players for nuts when in fact you spent a lot on vvd,Mane,Nunez,Marc Alister,Sizoboslai,Salah ,Jota etc, you expected City not buying so that you continue with your dominance,relax,we are creating history.Look at how much profit they have gained by winning and doing business and not looking at what the owners have.Football need big investment,ask Utd, Chelsea.We buying players at reasonable prices and refuse to be manipulated by sellers with same mentality like yours.Never allow hate to subdue your thinking.
tell him to read it again and over
Yunbcekop
0
Alexander Arnold is better than all man city squared
your good at joking bro 😂😂😂
faccdopry
1
City must just swallow the fact that they had and did outspend other teams in EPL to achieve what they achieved period. I doubt Guardiola and City could become who they are today without the backup ng of the heavy Catari financial outlay and outspending rivals to best talent. Who was City in EPL before the Catari oil money investment’s really? Remember history can’t just be erased so easily as some of us may wish. If you are true City fan you must know the reality
City was behind Manu, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and the others, because those club were the big spenders back in the day... Manu have the biggest history in EPL, because historically they have been the biggest spenders in EPL over the years.... you all dunce fans always find ridiculous excuses when your teams are losing.
veecmpsuz
0
No city player can match Trent
😂😂😂
dukdkmstyz
1
You speak as an aggrieved and irresponsible fan.How many trophies did PSG accumulate with the oil money they have.There is Newcastle too, how many trophies are they collecting.You want to pretend as if you LFC were getting players for nuts when in fact you spent a lot on vvd,Mane,Nunez,Marc Alister,Sizoboslai,Salah ,Jota etc, you expected City not buying so that you continue with your dominance,relax,we are creating history.Look at how much profit they have gained by winning and doing business and not looking at what the owners have.Football need big investment,ask Utd, Chelsea.We buying players at reasonable prices and refuse to be manipulated by sellers with same mentality like yours.Never allow hate to subdue your thinking.
If I could like this twice 👍🏾
Yedknpstz
0
Alexander Arnold is better than all man city squared
😂🤣😂🤣good joke tell one more
Fobeimrtu
5
Pardon TAA, he can't play on Sunday the only place he can talk is outside the pitch not on the pitch, Pep knows how to answer question, he further wish him well
Cuobcnpyz
0
No city player can match Trent
Satbceilr
1
City must just swallow the fact that they had and did outspend other teams in EPL to achieve what they achieved period. I doubt Guardiola and City could become who they are today without the backup ng of the heavy Catari financial outlay and outspending rivals to best talent. Who was City in EPL before the Catari oil money investment’s really? Remember history can’t just be erased so easily as some of us may wish. If you are true City fan you must know the reality
Man City is really causing this guy a lot of sleepless nights 🤣🤣🤣. They can't be like us😆
MaxwellKyeremeh
0
City must just swallow the fact that they had and did outspend other teams in EPL to achieve what they achieved period. I doubt Guardiola and City could become who they are today without the backup ng of the heavy Catari financial outlay and outspending rivals to best talent. Who was City in EPL before the Catari oil money investment’s really? Remember history can’t just be erased so easily as some of us may wish. If you are true City fan you must know the reality
well said
Feaceorsyz
4
City must just swallow the fact that they had and did outspend other teams in EPL to achieve what they achieved period. I doubt Guardiola and City could become who they are today without the backup ng of the heavy Catari financial outlay and outspending rivals to best talent. Who was City in EPL before the Catari oil money investment’s really? Remember history can’t just be erased so easily as some of us may wish. If you are true City fan you must know the reality
You speak as an aggrieved and irresponsible fan.How many trophies did PSG accumulate with the oil money they have.There is Newcastle too, how many trophies are they collecting.You want to pretend as if you LFC were getting players for nuts when in fact you spent a lot on vvd,Mane,Nunez,Marc Alister,Sizoboslai,Salah ,Jota etc, you expected City not buying so that you continue with your dominance,relax,we are creating history.Look at how much profit they have gained by winning and doing business and not looking at what the owners have.Football need big investment,ask Utd, Chelsea.We buying players at reasonable prices and refuse to be manipulated by sellers with same mentality like yours.Never allow hate to subdue your thinking.
Biacelmps
0
City must just swallow the fact that they had and did outspend other teams in EPL to achieve what they achieved period. I doubt Guardiola and City could become who they are today without the backup ng of the heavy Catari financial outlay and outspending rivals to best talent. Who was City in EPL before the Catari oil money investment’s really? Remember history can’t just be erased so easily as some of us may wish. If you are true City fan you must know the reality
Cry more
Wuabdluyz
1
Alexander Arnold is better than all man city squared
Nabbimstuy
4
pep is a professional man
Doebeimz
0
City must just swallow the fact that they had and did outspend other teams in EPL to achieve what they achieved period. I doubt Guardiola and City could become who they are today without the backup ng of the heavy Catari financial outlay and outspending rivals to best talent. Who was City in EPL before the Catari oil money investment’s really? Remember history can’t just be erased so easily as some of us may wish. If you are true City fan you must know the reality
Lovebug2
0
NUNEZ is better than Haaland Nunez hcan shoot from outside the box Haaland can't
Haaland broke all EPL records last season. Just sit down
peddekmpst
0
If Trent said something wrong these players Halaand and Dias wouldn't be offended,but we all know the truth hurts I bet more City players are still coming for Trent 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣pp
If its a matter of trophies how many have liverpool and man city won over the recent 10 years?
lastg
1
this is the greatest english team of all time vs the best at the moment so the rest just sit down and enjoy the show youll get your chance to talk now its time for the grown-ups
Feudeklstz
1
punish them on the pitch
Seddekoprt
0
NUNEZ is better than Haaland Nunez hcan shoot from outside the box Haaland can't
18 yards king. are you jealous?
tt682
0
NUNEZ is better than Haaland Nunez hcan shoot from outside the box Haaland can't
rabdoprz
1
UK media bring this issue always sell market
pasaelnsz
0
liverpool wont make that mistake like what chelsea did.. you are winning and you keep substituting key players, we wont do that, if we score 2 goals to nill. its over
takimuda
1
If Trent said something wrong these players Halaand and Dias wouldn't be offended,but we all know the truth hurts I bet more City players are still coming for Trent 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣pp
takimuda
0
If Trent said something wrong these players Halaand and Dias wouldn't be offended,but we all know the truth hurts I bet more City players are still coming for Trent 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
cakabdkpry
0
What war of words? Trent is a scouser, it means more. Shitty has just been triggered by the local lad. Too easy to wind them up. Just banter, don't have a hernia.
continue reading liverfool book of excuses chapter 10 bro no worries
Buciklorsu
0
City you have my support and do your best as you always do good luck
Owiz
0
I'll personally force him to talk after the match on Sunday, cos I'll pacify him to hold back his tears
Wekcdelor
0
King je
besacelmpy
0
What war of words? Trent is a scouser, it means more. Shitty has just been triggered by the local lad. Too easy to wind them up. Just banter, don't have a hernia.
Wakabcimou
1
wish wine
vidaeikuz
3
Pep is right, no need of minding or answering what TAA coz that doesn't affect the out come of the game on Sunday..
Everblessed10
1
I believe in doing the talking on the pitch absolutely but you have to remember Trent is currently injured and can’t play so he has no other way of doing his talking off the pitch so please forgive him 🫣🫣🫣🤣