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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
David Hytner

Akanji insists Alexander-Arnold’s words ‘didn’t matter’ to Manchester City

Manuel Akanji and Luis Díaz battle for the ball at Anfield
Manuel Akanji says Trent Alexander-Arnold’s words were probably a ploy to try to unsettle Manchester City. Photograph: Jon Super/AP

Manuel Akanji has said Manchester City were not affected by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s attempt to unsettle them before Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Liverpool and praised his team for the resilience they showed at Anfield.

Alexander-Arnold touched a nerve at City in the buildup to the game, saying that Liverpool’s trophies in recent years “mean more to us and our fanbase because of the situations at both clubs financially”. Erling Haaland responded by saying that the Liverpool right-back, who is injured, did not know how it felt to win a treble, which City did last time out before adding the European Super Cup and Club World Cup in the first half of this season. Rúben Dias said “a treble is a feeling you can only know when you actually do it” while Kyle Walker said Alexander-Arnold’s words had been “floating around the changing room” at City.

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