Manuel Akanji has become the latest Manchester City player to fire back at Trent Alexander-Arnold over his recent comments about Liverpool’s trophy wins meaning more.
Sunday’s enthralling 1-1 draw between Liverpool and City at Anfield had an extra edge after Alexander-Arnold stated the Reds’ trophy wins “mean more to us and our fanbase because of the situations at both clubs financially”, suggesting their rivals had benefitted from the Abu Dhabi United Group takeover of 2008.
Several City players refuted the claims and sniped back at Alexander-Arnold as he did not win the treble like they did last season or five trophies in a single calendar year.
Following Sunday’s stalemate, Akanji was asked whether the right-back’s words had any impact on City and if he was trying to get inside their heads.
“Probably he tried it to [be that way] but it didn’t matter to us,” Akanji said. “I don’t think it affected us. In the end we tried to go on the pitch and show our performance. I mean, it didn’t affect me.
“I don’t know why he said it. He didn’t even play. He can’t tell because he didn’t win it [the treble]. That’s all I have to say. If you win three titles in one year, or five which we did last year, then he can speak again.”
Alexander-Arnold missed Sunday’s encounter due to a knee ligament issue that has ruled him out of Liverpool’s last six games in all competitions, including their 1-0 victory against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final last month.
Liverpool could still win a quadruple this season with Jurgen Klopp’s side still going strong in the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup. Pep Guardiola’s City, meanwhile, are looking to defend their treble of last season.
