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      Pep Guardiola ‘walks out of interview’ with one-word answer after Man City boss asked what happened with Darwin Nunez

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      PEP GUARDIOLA made a quick exit from an interview after being asked about Darwin Nunez.The Manchester City manager could only say one word when asked about a confrontation with the Liverpool striker.
      Pep Guardiola said one word when asked about his row with Darwin Nunez
      The two sides had just finished playing out an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium when tempers flared.
      Guardiola and Nunez were involved in a spat on the touchline in which the Uruguayan had to be pulled away by Jurgen Klopp.
      They had shared a handshake before an exchange of words raised the temperature.
      However, Guardiola was in no mood to talk about the incident afterward.
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      When asked what happened, the Spaniard simply said: “Nothing.”
      Guardiola then walked out of the press conference before any more questions could be asked, according to talkSPORT.
      Klopp on the other hand offered more of an insight as he spoke about his role to keep the peace.
      The German claimed that he did not “understand a word” of what was said but put down the incident to “emotions”.
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      He said: “That’s the story of the world, huh?
      “A person who doesn’t understand a word trying to calm down two people.
      “It’s fine, it’s just emotions, nothing else.
      “Because love them both, I was probably the perfect person to do that.
      “But nothing spectacular. Emotions.”
      Erling Haaland fired Man City into the lead in the match before Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a late equaliser.
      The Liverpool star was also donning some unreleased Adidas Predator boots, hinting that he has changed sponsor.
      Haaland’s goal saw him become the fastest player in Premier League history to hit the 50-goal mark. More

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      Trent Alexander-Arnold says Man City had game plan to stop HIM after Liverpool star’s late equaliser

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      TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD reckons Manchester City had a game plan to foil him – only for the Liverpool right-back to rescue a late point.TAA even reckons Etihad playmaker Bernardo Silva was man-marking him as the second-placed Reds nicked a 1-1 draw at the Premier League leaders.
      Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates his 80th-minute equaliserCredit: AP
      Alexander-Arnold had a big challenge combating Etihad flier Jeremy Doku and also feels Man City had special tactics to block himCredit: Rex
      The England star had a tough enough time at the other end trying to tame City’s new wing sensation Jeremy Doku.
      But he got forward to cancel out Erling Haaland’s first-half opener with a classy low drive on 80 minutes.
      Alexander-Arnold told Sky Sports: “I think there was potentially a game plan to stop me from getting the ball in midfield, at least that’s what it felt like, especially in the first half.
      “A lot of man-marking – Bernardo was really close to me.”
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      The 25-year-old, who has revived his Three Lions’ career with new roles in midfield, then explained how Liverpool countered City’s tactics.
      He said: “It was about trying to get the ball in different ways, trying to pass the ball wider, get on the ball as much as possible.
      “It was not really a game for penetration through the middle, it was more round the side.”
      Alexander-Arnold also suggested the Reds gave City too much respect – and space – before the break.
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      He said: “I don’t think we played particularly well, first half particularly.
      “The formation and the way they set up really challenged us. They have a lot of bodies in there, difficult to play against.
      “But we regrouped at half-time and came out with a bit more of a game plan and to press them.
      “In the second half we definitely put that respect to one side and thought, ‘let’s go for it’.”
      And he was satisfied in the end, saying: “We haven’t had too many good results here –  a point is a good result.”
      Alexander-Arnold fires his leveller in the top-two clashCredit: Rex More

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      Pep Guardiola makes gesture at Man City fans with Etihad ‘unusually quiet’ for huge Liverpool clash

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      MANCHESTER CITY boss Pep Guardiola urged the home fans to make some noise during the crunch clash against Liverpool.City drew 1-1 against the Reds after Trent Alexander-Arnold cancelled out Erling Haaland’s 50th Premier League goal just 10 minutes before full-time.

      Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola didn’t seem too pleased with the atmosphere at the EtihadCredit: PA
      Guardiola urged Man City fans to make more noise against LiverpoolCredit: PA
      That wasn’t the kind of result Guardiola hoped for amid the Treble winners’ bid to defend the Prem title.
      But the Spanish tactician also seemed unhappy with the atmosphere at the Etihad.
      Guardiola turned to the home crowd at some point during the match “with his fingers in his ears”.
      That was because it was “unusually quiet” for a game as big as this between two Premier League title rivals.
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      Guardiola explained during his post-match interview with Sky Sports as he admitted he wanted “some more noise” from the home end.
      However, the Spaniard was very pleased with City’s “excellent performance” against Liverpool.
      The 52-year-old head coach was especially satisfied with how the Citizens defended against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
      Guardiola told the BBC: “That was an excellent performance. I am really proud that after eight years we are still playing that way.
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      “We were really good in all departments and needed to be against an incredible team.
      “Maybe we missed the last pass a little bit but they defended really well.
      “To concede just two shots on target against Liverpool is a big compliment for the way we work.” More

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      Man City 1 Liverpool 1: Trent Alexander-Arnold equaliser sees Citizens drop points on title rivals after Haaland opener

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      TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD frustrated Manchester City and their fans with a late equaliser.Moments after opening goalscorer Erling Haaland had gone close to doubling City’s lead, Alexander-Arnold swept home a Mo Salah pass to level the score.
      Liverpool rescued a point against Manchester CityCredit: AP
      Erling Haaland netted the opening goalCredit: Reuters
      Trent Alexander-Arnold netted an equaliser in the second halfCredit: Reuters

      The England star ran provocatively over to the City supporters and put his finger to his lips.
      They responded with fury and boss Pep Guardiola will also be annoyed not to have seen off their title rivals.
      Until that moment, it looked like Erling Haaland’s record-breaking strike was going to decide the game.
      The Norwegian’s 50th Premier League goal in his 48th appearance made him the quickest to that landmark, beating Andrew Cole’s record by a massive 17 games.
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      There was less between the two teams and Haaland’s was on course to be the difference.
      While fellow No 9 Darwin Nunez failed to turn some decent first-half openings into goals, City’s netfinder general made the most of his only opportunity.
      His goal was a case of third-time unlucky for Liverpool as they created their own problems with sloppiness at the back.
      After a dull opening, Alisson made things interesting by clearing straight to Phil Foden but the City star’s shot was straight back at the goalkeeper.
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      The Reds had done nothing going forward until suddenly Nunez had two chances in a minute. Ederson did well to tip over the header from Salah’s cross, but the Uruguayan should have done better when played in by Dominik Szoboszlai, finding himself crowded out after delaying his shot.
      But City were having the better of it.
      Curtis Jones put Alisson under pressure with a backpass and Haaland almost capitalised, before Jeremy Doku beat Alexander-Arnold only for the Reds to smuggle the cross behind.
      And then Alisson was punished for another poor bit of distribution, although he was badly let down by his defence as well.
      It was his 50th in the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
      Nathan Ake collected Alisson’s sliced kick out of his hands and beat Szoboszlai and Alexander-Arnold way too easily before playing in Haaland.
      Joel Matip was caught on his heels and although the Liverpool ‘keeper got a hand on Haaland’s shot, he could not keep it out.
      City looked comfortable, except when Manuel Akanji’s pass was picked off by Szoboszlai. But after the Hungarian found Nunez, the striker could find only the side netting.
      City almost extended their lead before the break, but Alisson got down brilliantly to keep out Foden’s effort. Ederson did the same to stop Salah’s cross that was dummied by Szoboszlai.
      The defender was wearing new boots for the matchCredit: AP
      Liverpool came out for the second half with more zip and intent.
      Alexander-Arnold got forward more in the opening minutes than he had in the first 45.
      But the first chance fell to Julian Alvarez as City found themselves with a man over on the break. Doku picked out the World Cup winner with a cross but he sent his shot well over the bar.
      Diogo Jota picked up a knock that led to him being replaced by Luis Diaz, while Ryan Gravenberch replaced Jones.
      A look at the match stats
      Haaland spooned a half chance over the bar but the game was now end to end and the visitors sensed there was still plenty in it for them.
      Ruben Dias diverted a dangerous Szoboszlai cross behind for the latest in a series of Liverpool corners.
      Dias had the ball in the net himself only for referee Chris Kavanagh to signal a soft-looking foul on Alisson by Akanji.
      Nunez had another sight of goal, but Ederson saved easily enough at his near post before Haaland sent a header over the Liverpool bar.
      Liverpool player’s average positions against Man City
      Where Man City players were on average against Liverpool
      The Norwegian went closer when he diverted a Doku cross goalwards from close range, but Alisson blocked.
      And seconds later his team was level.
      There seemed little danger when Salah retrieved a crossfield pass by Diaz. But he laid it into Alexander-Arnold’s path and one touch and one shot later, it was arrowing into the far corner of Ederson’s net.
      City were given hope of a winner when eight minutes of added time were announced.
      But a blocked shot by Bernardo Silva was as close as they came until Haaland’s glancing header from an Alvarez corner drifted agonisingly wide. More

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      Pep Guardiola tipped to ‘completely change’ England squad with two uncapped goalkeepers if he succeeds Southgate

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      PEP GUARDIOLA has been tipped to transform England’s squad if he became manager – starting by bringing in two uncapped keepers.Manchester City’s Treble-winning chief is rated the FA’s dream choice as successor, should current boss Gareth Southgate depart after the Euros.
      Jason Steele only became Brighton first-choice No 1 in January this yearCredit: Alamy
      Burnley’s summer recruit James Trafford has played 16 times for England U-21s but has yet to win a senior capCredit: Rex
      Pep Guardiola prefers keepers with excellent ball skills such as Man City’s EdersonCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      And Guardiola would then be expected to re-shape England’s playing style – into the passing game he’s enjoyed so much success with at the Etihad, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
      Ex-Three Lions stopper Ben Foster believes that could mean call-ups for Brighton’s Jason Steele and Burnley new boy James Trafford.
      Both keepers are comfortable with the ball at their feet – like City’s Ederson.
      Steele, 31, has only been a Seagulls regular since January this year, with former No 1 Robert Sanchez later moving to Chelsea.
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      And Trafford, 21, is in his first Premier League season after switching from the Etihad to the newly-promoted Clarets in the summer.
      Ex-Manchester United and West Brom man Foster said on his Fozcast podcast: “I think if we had Pep Guardiola as England manager, we would win tournaments.
      “He could pick anybody. I think he could pick Steele at Brighton or Trafford at Burnley, genuinely. He would completely change it.”
      Southgate has stuck with Everton’s Jordan Pickford as first-choice keeper, with Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone the established back-ups.
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      But Foster, 40, added: “Have you seen the way Steele does it for Brighton, by the way? It’s outrageous.
      “That’s the style of play he wants to go with. That’s interesting, isn’t it? That is a can of worms.”
      The Mail claim Guardiola is England’s top pick as replacement if Southgate decides to bow out after next summer’s tournament. More

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      Man City missed out on inserting ‘Jadon Sancho clause’ into deal when they sold Cole Palmer to Chelsea for £42.5m

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      MANCHESTER CITY did not insist on a sell-on clause in Cole Palmer’s transfer to Chelsea, according to reports.City cashed in twice on Jadon Sancho after selling him to Borussia Dortmund in 2017, and then seeing him move to rivals Manchester United four years later.
      Manchester City do not have a sell-on-clause on Cole PalmerCredit: Rex
      Pep Guardiola’s side pocketed over £10million after United paid a whopping £73m for Sancho in 2021.
      But there will be no such repeat of that if Chelsea are to sell Palmer in the future.
      According to The Daily Mail, City were happy to accept the £40m up front for Palmer, plus the £2.5m in potential add-ons.
      As an academy product, the sale can be listed as profit in City’s books.
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      And the deal was seen as good enough not to require further negotiation on a sell-on clause.
      City have reaped the benefit from other deals in the past, including when Spurs signed Pedro Porro from Sporting for £42million in January.
      They also had a 20 per cent clause on Romeo Lavia, who joined Chelsea this summer from Southampton for £58million.
      Chelsea were said to be pleasantly surprised that no clause was inserted in their deal for Palmer.
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      Especially after seeing the new England star make a fantastic start to life at Stamford Bridge, making the fee look like a bargain.
      Palmer has established himself as a regular in Mauricio Pochettino’s first XI, scoring four times in his six league starts for the side.
      The 21-year-old earned his first call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England side this international break and made his debut against Malta.
      Palmer is expected to start again for Chelsea in tomorrow’s clash against Newcastle as Chelsea look to continue their good form following on from a difficult start to the season. More

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      Mario Balotelli cheats death after smashing £100k Audi into wall in horror accident before ‘refusing breathalyser test’

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      MARIO BALOTELLI was lucky to escape serious injury after crashing his £100,000 Audi Q8 into a wall.The terrifying accident, which nobody else is believed to have been involved in, happened at 8.30pm on Thursday in the Italian’s hometown of Brescia.
      Mario Balotelli has been involved in a car crash that destroyed his Audi Q8Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Italian media reports that he then declined to take a breathalyser testCredit: Getty
      The ex-Man City star crashed his black Audi Q8 into a wall at 8.30pmCredit: https://twitter.com/MARCAinENGLISH
      The star was checked by paramedics inBrescia but escaped major injuryCredit: https://twitter.com/sportxmagazine
      Balotelli climbs into the ambulance to be checked out
      SportMediaset are claiming that the 33-year-old former Manchester City striker allegedly then refused to take a breathalyser test after crashing his black motor into a wall.
      According to the Italian newspaper Fatto Quotidiano,  the ex-Liverpool ace lost control of his Audi Q8 and smashed it into a wall.
      The impact of the collision forced the air bags to go off as medics quickly raced to the scene after being called.
      Balotelli, who has previously dated Belgian model Fanny Neguesha and was recently spotted with a beautiful mysterious blonde, managed to climb out of the wreckage and was then attended to by paramedics after lying on the ground.
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      Then SportMediaset say that local cops tried to give Balotelli a breathalyser test, but the Italian international declined.
      The news outlet then states that led to police confiscating Balotelli’s driving licence.
      The 2012 Premier League title winner’s brother, Enock Barwuah, is then said to have arrived on the scene of the crash after returning from training with his local football team and then took Balotelli home.
      The controversial forward has never been far from the headlines throughout his careerCredit: AFP
      Mario Balotelli returned to Turkey with Adana Demirspor this summerCredit: Getty
      Balotelli, who now plays for Turkish side Adana Demirspor, is back home in Italy while he recovers from an injury.
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      The controversial ace has just recently returned to Turkish Super Lig side Adana Demirspor after previously spending the 2021/22 season there.
      Balotelli, who recently sold his fleet of supercars including a Ferrari and Lamborghini after losing his passion for them, left City for AC Milan in 2013 but surprisingly returned to the Prem a year later with Liverpool.
      He struggled to impress at Anfield, scoring just once in 16 games, before going back to Milan on loan.
      Balotelli did enjoy a three-year spell at Nice after leaving Liverpool in 2014, making 76 appearances and scoring 43 goals before he moved across the French Riviera to rivals Marseille for a season.
      It was a short but successful spell having scored eight goals in 15 appearances, but he returned to Italy for stints with Brescia and Monza before going to Turkey for his first spell at Adana.
      He then joined Swiss Super League club Sion for what turned out to be a disastrous season but appears to now be trying to resurrect himself in Turkey.
      Balotelli has never been far from the headlines throughout his career for his antics both on and off the pitch.
      Balotelli, pictured with Micah Richards, won the Premier League and FA Cup at Man CityCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The Italian international has had a fleet of supercars over the yearsCredit: Ray Bradbury – The Sun
      Balotelli showing off his white Bentley back in 2012Credit: Xposure
      The 33-year was spotted driving this red Ferrari in 2014Credit: Eamon and James Clarke
      He was pictured in Venice with this mystery lady in August
      Balotellli dated model Fanny Neguesha until 2013
      During his time at City, he infamously set off fireworks in his rented home causing thousands of pounds worth of damage – then days later he became the face of a firework safety campaign.
      Balotelli also started 2020 in typically bumpy fashion after being involved in a car accident at 6am on New Year’s Day.
      This time he was in the passenger seat of a silver Fiat 500 Abarth when it crashed into the gate of a bakery in northern Brescia.
      A friend of the player was driving the vehicle after an evening celebrating the new year in a nightclub when it bounced off the kerb before rolling into the gate.
      Neither man inside the car was hurt and Balotelli completed his journey to his house in nearby Mompiano on foot before heading to bed.
      More recently, a video surfaced of Balotelli just weeks after joining Sion appearing to stumble out of a bar in Lausanne with his arms draped around a lady in red and another male.
      That clip quickly went viral and he soon found himself in the headlines again.
      He missed training for several days afterwards, but the club would claim that was down to him suffering bronchitis.
      Balotelli’s fireworks antics were just the start of his explosive time at Man CityCredit: Man City
      Balotelli and Mancini had an infamous training ground fight at Man CityCredit: Eamonn Clarke
      Balotelli once allegedly paid a bar owner £1,800 to drive a moped into the sea in just his pants.
      He is claimed to have paid the man £1,800 back in 2019 to drive his moped over the edge of a marina in Naples before he published the footage on Instagram, showing the crowd that had gathered to watch the daring stunt.
      Later on, he posted a clip of attempting to start up the rescued moped.
      Incredibly, after a few splutters, the engine kicked into gear and it was working once more.
      Balotelli and former City boss Roberto Mancini were also spotted GRAPPLING during a training session in front of the cameras back in their time together at the Etihad.
      Mancini later described the incident saying that it was sparked by a crunching tackle from the forward on Gael Clichy.
      He said: “In a training session, I said to players not to make stupid tackles on Gael Clichy because he was just coming back from injury. And then, Mario made a strong tackle on him. I was furious.
      “I grabbed him by the collar wanting to push him but he is so strong physically I couldn’t move him.
      “From seeing the pictures, you would think that we came to blows but nothing happened.
      “He came into conflict with some team-mates because of his behaviour and he wanted to return to Italy.
      “I was disappointed that he wanted to leave because he should have done so much more in an extraordinary championship.”
      Balotelli is back in Italy as he recovers from his latest injuryCredit: Getty More

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      Man City star Jeremy Doku was lazy winger who would ‘greatly annoy’ coaches at Anderlecht – now he could be world’s best

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      JEREMY DOKU’S old coaches are amazed at his Manchester City success – believing he was lazy and not good enough for a European giant.But now they reckon the £55million summer arrival from Rennes can become the “best player in the world”.
      Jeremy Doku is enjoying a stunning Prem debut seasonCredit: Getty
      The Belgium winger, 21, has notched three goals from 13 games in his first season in England, as well as five assists in nine Prem matches.
      But Antwerp-born Doku angered bosses during eight years at Anderlecht.
      Benoit Haegeman, the Belgians’ youth-team coach, said: “Jeremy didn’t like to run, didn’t like to defend and didn’t like to use the fitness room.
      “He had a lot of self-belief, but everyone at Anderlecht thought he had a lot he needed to work on.
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      “His left foot, his strength in the air and his positioning all needed to be better.
      “Everyone at the club thought Jeremy was good enough to play professionally for Anderlecht or another team in Belgium.
      “But not for a top European club such as Manchester City.
      “We are a bit surprised by him, but above all very proud.”
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      Jan Verlinden, Doku’s educational advisor at Anderlecht, added: “His greatest quality was ‘dare and repeat’.
      “Even when he would lose the ball he would try the same action again – sometimes to the great annoyance of his coaches.
      “But a lot of foreign clubs, such as Liverpool and Chelsea, then began to follow his progress.
      “Romelu Lukaku made a film in which he tried to convince Jeremy to complete his education with Anderlecht.
      “I don’t see why he can’t go on to become the best player in the world.  Anything is possible with him.” More