Jurgen Klopp defends Trent Alexander Arnold's latest jibe at Manchester City

City and Liverpool will face each other on Sunday in a Premier League encounter

In response to Trent Alexander Arnold and Erling Haaland’s verbal spat, Jurgen Klopp declared that he was unaffected by his full-back’s provocative remarks and praised Pep Guardiola as the “greatest manager in the world.”

On Sunday, Liverpool and Man City—with Klopp’s team behind the Cityzens by only one point in the league standings—will square off in a crucial game that might have a significant impact on the championship fight.

However, in the lead-up to the game, tensions have been rising off the field as Alexander-Arnold set the tone this week by suggesting that Guardiola’s team had paid for their victory over 14 major trophies, including the Treble, under the Spaniard. He stated that Liverpool’s championship success this year “means more” and that his team was “up against a machine that’s built to win.”

Haaland responded angrily to his remarks in an interview with Sky Sports, biting out at the Liverpool full-back. The Norwegian expressed:

‘I’ve won the Treble and it was quite a nice feeling. I don’t think he knows exactly this feeling. I don’t think he knows exactly this feeling.’

Trending World Football Articles:

• Top four players with most goals in 2023
• Top six players with most assists in 2023
• Best goals scored in football in 2023: Ranked
• Top 10 best footballers of 2023: Ranked
• Best football matches of 2023: Ranked

In spite of this, Klopp stood by his full-back, saying he agreed with Alexander-Arnold’s remarks and citing Liverpool’s motto, “this means more,” in particular.

After sustaining a knee injury after Liverpool’s 3-1 victory against Burnley, Alexander-Arnold has been out for almost a month and is unlikely to play again until following the March international break.

‘I had a few people telling me what I should say,’ he said laughing, when asked for his opinion on the feud. ‘I am not sure how often in this club that we have to say how much we respect City. Pep is the best manager in the world.

‘They have incredible players. At the moment they have the best No 9, Haaland, who scores when he wants. Kevin De Bruyne will go down in history with players like Steven Gerrard! Phil Foden, the best English player at the moment. We all respect that.’

‘Trent respects that,’ Klopp added. ‘But he is born in Liverpool, he stood on the bins [outside Melwood to watch players train as a kid]. What would you think in that situation? One of our slogans, that I love, is “this means more.” It means more to us.

He added: ‘This club is special to us. So if we feel it, why shouldn’t be allowed to say it?’

‘I am not really interested [in outside opinions]. It’s just how he feels. How we feel and I have absolutely no problem about that. I just got told about it. I am pretty sure he showed total respect as well. In the last decade, Man City is the most successful team in English football and maybe Europe. It’s ridiculous record they have. It means a lot for their people I am sure.”

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.