The ex-Reds defender has portrayed the players with expiring contracts as the problem at Anfield when the truth is that the club is to blame

Liverpool versus Manchester United at Anfield – it's always a massive match regardless of the context. But Sunday's showdown is of even greater significance than usual for the hosts. Liverpool are leading the Premier League but their lead could be cut to just three points by the time the game kicks off. Victory is imperative and should be the sole focus – but it's not.

Just as much attention – if not more – will be given to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah. Whereas a win over arguably the worst United team of the past decade is considered something of a formality, there is now a very real fear that Liverpool will lose their tug-of-war with Real Madrid for the game's most gifted right-back, while the best player in the world right now has just declared that this will be his final season on Merseyside.

After all, the battle has already officially begun for Alexander-Arnold's services and the mere fact that player contracts are overshadowing the biggest fixture in English football (at least from Liverpool's perspective) only goes to prove that they also have the potential to derail the Reds' title hopes. So, who's to blame here? Alexander-Arnold and Salah? Their representatives? Or is this a mess all of Liverpool's making?

Getty Images SportMadrid make their move for Trent

Liverpool ended 2024 top of not only the Premier League but also the Champions League – and yet they didn't even get to fully enjoy New Year's Eve.

Just a few hours before the clock struck 12 on December 31, Real Madrid made their move for Alexander-Arnold, prompting predictable panic among the club's supporters.

Sooner or later, one way or another, Florentino Perez nearly always gets what he wants (the dreadfully drawn-out Kylian Mbappe saga is a case in point) and it's clear that the president of the most powerful club in football is desperate to sign Liverpool's homegrown hero, who now has less than six months left on his current contract.

The Reds haven't given up hope of holding onto Alexander-Arnold but it now feels as if they're fighting a losing battle. Of course, there's no way they'd even consider losing such an important player at this stage of the season but a free transfer looks like a formality.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'Only a matter of time'?

Michael Owen knows all about leaving Liverpool for Madrid and he is no longer in any doubt that Alexander-Arnold is bound for the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

"The very fact that Real Madrid have now made their intentions clear towards signing Trent Alexander Arnold leads me to believe that it's only a matter of time before he signs for them," the former England international wrote on X.

"If he was going to sign a contract extension, Madrid wouldn't have officially made their move. Secretive talks will have taken place. Huge news."

One of Owen's former team-mates, Jamie Carragher, is just as convinced that the formal New Year's Eve approach to sign Alexander-Arnold during the winter window was all part of the plan.

"I love Trent as a lad [and] a player," the defender-turned-pundit posted on X, "but his team would've told Real Madrid to bid [and] also would've known [Liverpool] would turn it down. It's to try to cover themselves when he leaves for free."

Carragher's appraisal of Alexander-Arnold and Madrid's motives certainly seems spot on, and he was also right to point out that "The most important thing for [Liverpool] in 2025 is winning the Premier League. No-one's contract or future should come in the way of that!"

It's also true that the transfer talk is "something the club/fans don't need with a huge game coming up" on Sunday.

However, the implication that the club deserves as much sympathy right now as the supporters is ludicrous. Liverpool definitely didn't "need" this distraction – but they did allow it to happen.

AFPNot one but three expiring contracts

As if anyone needs reminding, Alexander-Arnold is not an isolated case at Anfield. Liverpool don't just have one key player in a position to sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club – they have three. And that's not unfortunate, it's unforgivable.

Let's be honest, if United actually had any players of the calibre of Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Virgil van Dijk and allowed them to enter free agency territory, a combination of INEOS and the Glazers would be getting absolutely slated by supporters and the media right now.

So, why should FSG, Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes be given a pass, particularly after a summer in which only one new face arrived at the club? It's not as if a contingency plan is in place to deal with the potential loss of three men who were utterly integral to the club winning a sixth Champions League, in 2019, and a first English title for 30 years the following season.

It's bizarre, then, that an extremely well-informed pundit like Carragher and many others within the press have attempted to portray the players – and their representatives – as the problem here.

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Getty ImagesIs Salah really being 'selfish'?

When Salah first went public with his frustration over the lack of progress over a new deal, Carragher labelled the Egyptian "selfish", accusing him of thinking only of himself "and not the football club".

But Salah's contract is expiring and he clearly wants to stay. At 32 years of age, is he not entitled to think about his future and push for a new deal? Hasn't he already done enough for Liverpool to deserve an extension? Loyalty should be a two-way street at the end of the day.

Granted, in an ideal world, none of this would be played out in the media but football is a murky business populated by people motivated by making as much money as possible. Pursuing individual interests is very much a part of a team game, and arguably always has been. Did Liverpool really think, then, that the three players' representatives would be happy to let the negotiations play out on the club's terms?

Furthermore, their contractual situations had been a constant topic of debate even before Salah became the first to speak out, while it's also worth noting that Alexander-Arnold – just like Van Dijk – has been true to his word in that he's still said nothing remotely inflammatory to the press about his particular predicament.

Carragher, though, has devoted more column inches and airtime appealing to Alexander-Arnold's sense of belonging in the hope of convincing him to reject Real's advances, than addressing the real root of the problem – the club's lack of foresight, which can be attributed to the recent disruption behind the scenes at Anfield caused by the departure of a succession of influential figures.

Batting coach Grant Flower and team analyst GT Niroshan were described as being in a “stable” condition

Andrew Fidel Fernando11-Jul-2021

Sri Lanka’s men’s cricketers will be allowed to come out of isolation on Sunday, after everyone remaining in the national squad returned negative PCR results. This only goes for the players however; coaches and support staff will have to remain in isolation until Wednesday, as they are considered first contacts of batting coach Grant Flower and team analyst GT Niroshan, who tested positive for the virus over the past few days.Related

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SL-India series to begin on July 18; new fixtures announced

SL team's data analyst GT Niroshan tests positive for Covid-19

The fact that Sri Lanka’s players will gradually begin training over the next few days – with outdoor practices likely to start on Tuesday – is good new for the series against India, which has already been postponed five days due to the infections in Sri Lanka’s camp. Provided no one else tests positive, team doctors are optimistic the first ODI can be played on July 18 as per the revised schedule.When training does resume, however, Sri Lanka will likely be using the facilities at Khettarama stadium, while the India team trains at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC). The teams are also in separate hotels.Flower and Niroshan, meanwhile, were described as being in a “stable” condition, after having been moved to an intermediate healthcare facility. Niroshan’s infection is understood to be asymptomatic at present. Doctors believe they had picked up the infections during the recently-concluded tour of England, though the team was supposed to be in a bio-bubble through the last stages of that tour. Seven members of the England squad – including four support staff – tested positive for the virus.India’s preparation in Sri Lanka has been free of Covid-19 scares. They have been in a bio-bubble since their arrival.The teams are set to play three ODIs, followed by three T20 internationals.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians prioriza um centroavante de peso para a temporada de 2022, e o nome do momento para a direção do clube é o atacante uruguaio Edinson Cavani, atualmente no Manchester United, da Inglaterra, mas que a partir do meio do ano que vem ficará livre de contrato.

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A informação do interesse corintiano foi publicada inicialmente pelo portal “GE.Globo”.

A ideia da diretoria corintiana é trazer um camisa 9 quer arrase quarteirão, apresentando um projeto que não onere os cofres da instituição. Para isso, os dois trunfos seriam: o não aproveitamento de Cavani no United, na tentativa de convencer o atleta e o seu estafe buscarem a rescisão amigável com o clube inglês, assim como foi feito para a contratação de Willian, que estava no Arsenal, no meio do ano, e o interesse que o atacante tem de voltar ao futebol sul-americano.

O negócio é visto com dificuldade pela cúpula do Corinthians, mas até com certo otimismo. O clube tem como ideal se aproximar de intermediários de Cavani e ir em busca de parceiros para viabilizar financeiro o negócio, no que se refere a salários e premiações.

O que pesa contra ao Timão é que, ainda que Cavani tenha 34 anos, o uruguaio tem mercado, tanto na Europa, onde desperta interesse de clubes como o Barcelona, da Espanha, e Juventus, da Itália, como até mesmo em times de expressão da América do Sul, como o Boca Júniors, da Argentina.

Na última temporada, Cavani disputou 39 dos 61 jogos do United na última temporada, tendo marcado 17 gols, terceiro no ranking de artilharia dos Red Devils, e dado cinco assistências. Já neste ano, o uruguaio foi às redes uma vez em oito partidas.

Manchester United are one of the most active clubs during transfer deadline day with the future of Jadon Sancho to solve before the window shuts at 11pm tonight.

The latest on that move is that the winger could join Chelsea, with the Blues having lodged a late bid to bring the player to Stamford Bridge.

Whether that move goes through could also depend on Raheem Sterling who has been linked with Arsenal today.

Outgoings aren't the only thing on the agenda for the Red Devils who are set to welcome Manuel Ugarte to Old Trafford.

He's not the only midfielder being linked with a move to United before things close tonight.

Man United could sign another midfielder after Ugarte

With the Uruguayan midfielder set to arrive from PSG on Friday, he will do so having been snapped up for a bumper £51m fee.

Unfortunately for supporters awaiting a quick glimpse of the tough-tackling maestro, they will have to wait, with United not getting the move done in time for him to be registered for their clash with Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

Any further moves they make, therefore, will also not be able to play at the weekend. That's sad news if Chelsea gem Carney Chukwuemeka arrives in a late swoop.

According to The Guardian's Jacob Steinberg they have held talks regarding a move for the young 20-year-old.

How Chukwuemeka compares to Pogba

Well then, this would be quite the midfield, wouldn't it? Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Chukwuemeka are a trio who could dominate in the centre of the park for some time to come.

Ugarte brings with him a no-nonsense approach to the game, ranking within the top 1% of midfielders in Europe's top five leagues for tackles per 90 minutes. Combine that with Mainoo's composed elegance in the centre of the park and Chukwuemeka's box-crashing skillset and you've got a finely balanced central area.

So good is that part of his game that some, including James Norris, one of the midfielder's teammates at youth level, have compared him to Pogba.

"He was a bit like Pogba" is the opinion of Norris, who evidently rates the youngster highly. Why is that comparison there?

Well, the following rave review from Villa insider, Charlie Jennings, does a lot of the talking: "Carney is an outstanding ball carrier from deep areas of the midfield. He is known for marauding, mind-boggling dribbles through tight areas and compliments this with a delightful array of passes.

“His dribbling ability and close relationship with the ball occupies defenders in a way we so productively saw during Grealish’s time at the club. His array of passes allows for delicate and precise combination play, often linking up well with his wide men while driving into those half spaces."

Sound like someone? Of course, it does. A certain Pogba. In his prime, the World Cup was elite in very similar areas, notably ranking among the best 4% of midfielders in the Premier League in 2018/19 for progressive passes and the best 11% for successful take-ons.

So, this could be quite the late signing then for United. It has the potential to create a salivating midfield combination for Erik ten Hag.

Last-gasp move: Man Utd keen on landing CF "upgrade" who's "like Ronaldo"

The Red Devils could well be in the market for a new centre-forward before the window closes…

1

By
Robbie Walls

Aug 29, 2024

It's still early in the season, but it would be fair to say that Tottenham Hotspur have not got their Premier League campaign off to the greatest of starts.

Ange Postecoglou's side kicked things off with a 1-1 draw away to Leicester City, then beat Everton 4-0 before losing 2-1 away at Newcastle United.

Now, there is still plenty of time for the North Londoners to have an excellent year, but they will need their stars like James Maddison to be firing on all cylinders and their squad players like Richarlison fit and ready to contribute when called upon.

However, as talented as those two are, they have actually been shown up by a former Spurs player who left the club last year to little fanfare.

Maddison and Richarlison's recent form

So, let's start with Richarlison, who has been in North London for a season longer, and while he's a talented forward, it would be hard to describe his move as a success at this point in time.

In his first campaign with the Lilywhites, the former Everton ace could only muster up a paltry return of three goals and four assists in 35 appearances. He did improve last season, netting 12 goals and providing four assists in 31 games, but when looking at both campaigns together, he maintained an underwhelming average – for a centre-forward – of a goal involvement every 2.86 games.

Unfortunately for the Brazilian, this unremarkable rate of return saw the club splash £65m on Dominic Solanke this summer, thus relegating him to a squad role for the foreseeable future.

Now, while the Nova Venécia-born marksman is set to see his minutes limited this season, Maddison certainly isn't, so long as he can stay fit, that is.

The Englishman joined the North Londoners for £40m last summer, and while he had a slightly mediocre end to the year, which was no doubt in part due to his injury issues, he still scored four goals and provided nine assists in 30 matches for Postecoglou, equating to a goal involvement every 2.30 games.

However, even though the former Foxes star was able to show his true quality at points last season, he and Richarlison have been shown up for different reasons by a former Spurs ace who left the club last summer.

Lucas Moura's recent form

Yes, the mystery man is Lucas Moura, who, after spending five and a half seasons with the Lilywhites, moved back home to his first club, São Paulo, on a free transfer last August.

The 32-year-old's final few seasons in North London saw his role in the team reduced to being an option off the bench, as while he played 3173 minutes of football in his first full season with the club, his final campaign saw that number come down to just 394 minutes across 19 appearances.

However, while the Brazilian ace didn't quite live up to the potential he had at the club, he will always be remembered by the fans for his magical hat-trick against Ajax in May 2019, which booked the club a place in their first-ever Champions League final – the less said about the next game, the better.

Since returning to São Paulo, the 5 foot 8 "superhero", as dubbed by former manager Mauricio Pochettino, has become an integral part of the club, outperformed Maddison last season, and while his output matches Richarlison's, he has him beat in another area.

For example, in his 33 appearances last season, the right-footed ace scored nine goals and provided seven assists, comfortably beating out the Englishman's haul of 13 goal involvements and matching his compatriot's tally of 16.

Appearances

33

Goals

9

Assists

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.48

However, he has the former Toffees star beat because while the 27-year-old was dropped by the Brazilian national team back in May, he has just been named in the squad once again.

Ultimately, Moura's exit from Spurs last summer has worked out for him, and while he's outperformed Maddison on the pitch and claimed a spot in the Selecao's squad where Richarlison hasn't, the North Londoners probably aren't interested in bringing him back anytime soon.

Spurs flop was sold by Conte in 2022, now he's outscoring Solanke

The attacking talent has just secured a lucrative transfer.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 5, 2024

Mahmudullah on the positive side of biosecure bubbles: “You can spend more time with your team-mates, discuss plans and strategies”

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Aug-2021

No Tamim Iqbal, no Liton Das and no Mushfiqur Rahim. Bangladesh’s plans of putting it past a depleted Australia side in what is the first bilateral T20I series between the two teams have been impacted by the absence of three key batters, but they are particularly unhappy about Rahim missing out, because it’s been caused by Australia’s “stringent” demands when it comes to the biosecure bubble for the series. A day after Russell Domingo, the coach, expressed his displeasure on the matter, captain Mahmudullah, too, said he was “very disappointed” but his focus was on the series and what he and the other players could control.Related

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“Mushfiq is definitely one of our most crucial players, and I am personally very disappointed at not having him in the side for this series,” Mahmudullah said at a press conference on the eve of the first of five T20Is. “But, look, being a player, it’s not in our hands. The aim is to play good cricket and do well in terms of the results.”We are not worrying about it too much, because it’s not an issue we can do anything about. What has happened has happened. The only objective is to start and end the series well.”What has happened is that Cricket Australia and the Bangladesh Cricket Board had agreed to include their respective biosecure bubbles in Zimbabwe and the West Indies – where they were on tour – as part of the mandatory pre-series ten-day quarantine in Dhaka. But Rahim had to leave Harare for home after both his parents contracted Covid-19. As a result, he can’t be in the Dhaka biosecure bubble now.Some team insiders were especially irked because while Rahim wasn’t allowed to join the team, the players who have returned from Zimbabwe have had to do so after going through four airports – Harare, Johannesburg, Doha and Dhaka – with potentially greater exposure to the virus.Speaking on Sunday, Domingo had said, “I can’t understand the stringent rules Australia have placed on Mushfiq’s bubble. Ten days [on re-entering the bubble after visiting family] surely would have been enough, so [it’s] very disappointing the way they went about it.”Stressing that the absence of the three regulars would not make them bring down their expectations against a team they have never beaten in the format, Mahmudullah said the while living in biosecure bubbles was not ideal, there were some positives too.”The bio-bubble system is such that you have to accept it, there is no question of stepping out of it if you want to play cricket,” he said. So yes, it is difficult, not just for me but for everyone, who have parents, partners, children… you miss them. But, having said that, we have to accept it and move forward till we don’t win the fight against Covid.”The bubble is tiring at times. But there is a positive to it too – you can spend more time with your team-mates, you can discuss plans and strategies and your games with each other a lot more. We are together all the time, so we can bring up subjects with each other that can have a positive impact on our games, and that helps the team too.”

Chelsea are reportedly demanding a huge transfer fee for Christopher Nkunku from Bayern Munich, despite his lack of playing time under Enzo Maresca.

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Chelsea slap huge transfer fee on NkunkuBayern eager to sign the FrenchmanNkunku wants more game timeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱gettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Nkunku has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this month, with Bayern Munich emerging as a strong contender to land the out-of-favour Chelsea star. reports that the Blues are willing to sell Nkunku, who is 'unhappy' with his role at Stamford Bridge, but will demand a whopping £65 million ($79m) transfer fee.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

It has also been reported that the English giants have held talks with the Bavarian club regarding 19-year-old Frenchman Mathys Tel, with a swap deal involving Nkunku mooted. However, claims that Nkunku's transfer would be a standalone deal, with Chelsea demanding the full £65m upfront.

DID YOU KNOW?

Nkunku, who has started just three Premier League games for Chelsea in the 2024-25 campaign, is pushing for the move to Bayern so he can take in more regular game time – as per . The France international will link up with Harry Kane in the final third if the deal goes through, likely in a supporting role behind the England captain.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Enzo Maresca's side will be back in action in the Premier League on Tuesday as they take on Bournemouth in a crucial fixture at home. Nkunku is unlikely to feature in Chelsea's starting lineup as transfer negotiations continue in the background.

Everton have got off to a terrible start this campaign, only picking up one point in their opening five Premier League games, losing their first four before drawing 1-1 with Leicester City last weekend.

This leaves the Toffees 19th in the Premier League, and therefore, Sean Dyche could find himself in a spot of bother, with incoming owner Dan Friedkin already looking at alternatives. Everton face Crystal Palace at Goodison Park this weekend, and another loss could spell the end for Dyche.

Everton have conceded 14 goals this season, only scoring five in their opening five fixtures, but one name in imparticular on their shortlist has Premier League experience, and could really turn things around for the Toffees.

Everton searching for Dyche alternatives

According to GIVEMESPORT, Graham Potter is one of the main names being ‘discussed’ by Friedkin if Everton are to part ways with Dyche.

Potter has managed Brighton and Chelsea before in the Premier League and could help change and establish a new identity at the Merseyside club.

Praised as being “fantastic” for his job at Brighton by Wolves boss Gary O’Neil in the past, Potter’s success with the Seagulls earned him a big move to Chelsea back in 2022. The Englishman took charge of 31 games for the Blues, winning 12, drawing eight, and losing 11, averaging 1.42 points per match.

Potter suffered from Chelsea going through a big overhaul at the time, with new owners, lots of players both joining and leaving the club and many instances both on and off the field for him to deal with.

However, by stepping back into management at Everton, he could help steer them away from relegation, improving their terrible possession average, and giving them a new identity.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast's Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

Potter to revitalise Calvert-Lewin

Everton have struggled to create xG this season, only generating 6.29 over their five games so far this season – the fourth lowest in the league).

Their direct approach under Dyche is not allowing them to create high-value chances, and score enough goals to win games, especially with their leaky defensive record.

Potter has always had teams that generate decent xG values, with his Brighton side creating 49.57 xG in their 2021/22 campaign, and his Chelsea side generating 51.89 xG in 2022/23.

An improvement in xG creation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s main responsibility being to finish chances in the box, and make life tough for defenders in the penalty area, could see him revive his best numbers, which Everton fans haven’t seen since 2020/21.

17/18

8

5

18/19

8

3

19/20

15

1

20/21

21

3

21/22

5

2

22/23

2

1

23/24

8

3

In the 2019/20 season, when Calvert-Lewin scored 15 goals – 13 coming in the Premier League – Everton generated 53.71 xG, giving the Toffees’ star forward more chances in and around the box to finish off attack, and put the ball in the back of the net.

In comparison, during the 2021/22 season, Everton only generated 44.47 xG in the league, with Calvert-Lewin only managing five goals.

This then led to his worst season, despite Everton generating better xG numbers with 48.65 xG, his confidence was low, injuries were hampering him, and the striker was missing his clinical nature in the box.

However, as Calvert-Lewin is starting to find his mojo in the penalty area again, and will have confidence in his finishing ability, having scored two goals already this season with only 6.29 xG generated by the team, adding Potter who could help Everton keep more of the ball, and create higher value chances.

In turn, this could allow the attacker to explode again with another 15 + goal term, potentially firing Everton away from the relegation zone.

DCL would love him: Friedkin considering amazing Dyche successor at Everton

He could bring the best out of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

1 ByJoe Nuttall Sep 25, 2024

South Africa’s domestic season is set to get underway in September with a T20 knockout tournament featuring all 15 provincial teams and the national Under-19 side. The teams have been divided into four pools of four and will play each over three days before the semi-finals and final. The group stages will be held in Kimberley and Bloemfontein, though exact fixtures have yet to be confirmed.ESPNcricinfo understands that this tournament will not replace the Mzansi Super League, which began in 2018 but was not held last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and that the flagship franchise T20 tournament will still take place later in the year. However, the T20 knockout will provide an opportunity for provincial teams in both division one and two in the new domestic set-up to complete against each other.The tournament features all 15 provincial sides as well as South Africa’s Under-19 team•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

It will also be the first time South Africa’s new structure will be in operation, after the system was revamped over the winter. South African domestic cricket was previously made up of a top-tier of six franchises and a lower tier of 13 provincial teams. It is now a provincial-only system, with the franchises no longer in existence. The provincial structure consists of 15 teams, with eight in division one and seven in division two. Both divisions will play first-class and 50-overs cricket, the top division will compete in the MSL, and all the teams will be part of the season-opening T20 knockout.The competition will overlap with the IPL, which will mean several of South Africa’s top players will not take part, but immediately precedes the T20 World Cup and will ensure that those players who are not involved at the IPL have the opportunity for match practice before the tournament. South Africa’s national team has just three T20I fixtures remaining before the World Cup, to be played on a short, white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in the first half of September.No other fixtures for the 2021-22 season have been announced but the FTP has a busy program for the South Africa men’s team. They are due to host India for three Tests and three T20Is in December-January, and to travel to New Zealand and host Bangladesh thereafter. Cricket South Africa also needs to make up fixtures against India (three ODIs which were postponed from March 2020, then rescheduled to September, and now postponed again because of the IPL) and three Tests against Australia, which were due to be played in March-April this year.

واصل بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر سيتي، تصريحاته بعد هزيمة اليوم أمام ليفربول، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لكرة القدم.

واستضاف مانشستر سيتي خصمه ليفربول، على ملعب “الاتحاد” في قمة منافسات الجولة السادسة والعشرين من الدوري الإنجليزي، حيث خسر بهدفين دون رد.

وقال جوارديولا، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “كانت مباراة جيدة، متقاربة في الشوط الأول، كان الأمر أكثر انفتاحًا في الشوط الأول، وفي الشوط الثاني دافعوا بعمق شديد، يمتلكون تهديدًا دائمًا وليس من السهل السيطرة عليهم”.

وأضاف: “أعتقد أن دوكو وسافيو لعبا مباراة لا تُصدق، وصلا إلى خط التماس كثيرًا ولكن بعد ذلك افتقدنا السحر، لعبنا بشكل جيد لذلك لا أشعر بأي ندم”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جوارديولا: محمد صلاح قام بشيء مختلف أمام مانشستر سيتي.. وعلينا الخسارة بطريقة اليوم

وواصل: “استقبلنا الهدف الأول من ركنية (محمد صلاح)، ولكننا حاولنا اللعب وأعرف كيف سيلعب الخصم، في الشوط الثاني لعبوا بـ11 لاعبًا في منطقة الجزاء، هم يستحقون الإشادة ولكنني سعيد جدًا بطريقة لعبنا”.

وأردف: “خوسانوف كان جيدًا حقًا، لقد لعب بشكل جيد أمام ريال مدريد في الظهير الأيمن وتحكم في فينيسيوس، واليوم كان سريعًا ومنضبطًا، بالطبع عليه أن يتحسن ولديه قدرة لا تُصدق، كذلك الأمر بالنسبة لـ نيكو وعمر مرموش، ولكن الأمر ليس سهلًا عليهما ضد فريق قوي من الناحية البدنية”.

وعما إذا كان إيرلينج هالاند سيعود في مباراة الأربعاء ضد توتنهام، قال: “لا أعرف، أنا لا أقول إننا لم نحقق نتيجة إيجابية لأنه لم يكن متواجدًا، هذا غير عادل للاعبين الآخرين، كان بإمكاننا إنهاء المزيد ولكن بشكل عام كان الأمر جيدًا”.

واسترسل: “لا أعرف ماذا كان سيحدث لو كان الجميع هنا، لا أعرف ما إذا كان ليفربول سيكون قادرًا على الفوز بالدوري الإنجليزي، إنهم فريق رائع ومتشابهون في التفاصيل، لم يتعرضوا لأي إصابات ولهذا السبب يمكن أن يكونوا فريقًا مستقرًا ولم نتمكن من القيام بذلك، هذا هو الأمر”.

وشدد: “لا يمكنك تحقيق ما تريده طوال الوقت، أعلم مدى صعوبة التأهل إلى دوري أبطال أوروبا، أنا سعيد حقًا بالطريقة التي لعبنا بها ضد نيوكاسل واليوم كذلك”.

واسترسل: “كما قلت، لا أريد أن أقول لو كان لدينا هالاند لكنا فزنا لأن هذا غير عادل بالنسبة للاعبين الذين لعبوا اليوم وقدموا كل شيء، بالطبع معه نحن فريق أفضل، مع رودري نحن فريق أفضل، مع جون ستونز وأكانجي نحن فريق أفضل ولأسباب عديدة مع لاعبين آخرين نحن فريق أفضل”.