Pep Guardiola responds to Trent Alexander-Arnold's claim that trophies 'mean more' to Liverpool than Man City

Pep Guardiola has responded to Trent Alexander-Arnold's claim that trophies mean more to Liverpool fans than supporters of Manchester City.

Liverpool and City meet at Anfield on Sunday in a match being billed as a potential Premier League title-decider.

Jurgen Klopp's side are currently one point clear of City at the top of the table, with Arsenal a point further back.

Alexander-Arnold has stoked tensions ahead of the match by claiming that trophies mean more to Liverpool fans than Man City in recent years.

He told FourFourTwo: "It's tough. We're up against a machine that's built to win - that's the simplest way to describe City and their organisation.

"Looking back on this era, although they've won more titles than us and have probably been more successful, our trophies will mean more to us and our fanbase because of the situations at both clubs, financially.

"How both clubs have built their teams and the manner in which we've done it, probably means more to our fans."

Those comments have riled up several City players, including Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias.

"If he wants to say that, OK," Haaland said. "I've been here one year and I won the treble and it was quite a nice feeling. I don't think he knows this feeling. That's what I felt last season, it was quite nice."

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, Dias added: "We've won a lot in this club, especially last year with the Treble. I think it's pretty certain between us, between our fans, how much it meant to all of us.

Guardiola has responded to Alexander-Arnold (Image: Getty)

"At the end of the day you can only have certain emotions if you actually win stuff. A Treble is a feeling you can only know how it feels when you actually do it."

Pep Guardiola has now waded into the debate - giving a short response when asked about Alexander-Arnold, who is currently sidelined with a knee problem.

"I wish him a speedy recovery and he comes back as quickly as possible," said Guardiola, refusing to comment further.

Liverpool manager Klopp was also asked about Alexander-Arnold's comments at his pre-match press conference, and also gave a blunt answer.

"Nothing wrong with what Trent said," said Klopp.

Topics: Liverpool, Manchester City, Premier League, Football, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA. Tested daily as a Liverpool fan in a Manchester office.

@rory_ocallaghan