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Man City vs Liverpool sees an irresistible force meeting an immovable object… and at Wembley we’ll find out which wins
by Philippa Kaur 14 April 2022, 20:09
WHAT happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object?It probably goes to extra-time and penalties.
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola’s two powerhouses collide again at Wembley on SaturdayCredit: Reuters
Six days after Manchester City and Liverpool could not be separated in an epic clash of the titans, the rematch has all the makings of a classic.
But this time something has to give. One way or the other, someone has to emerge victorious.
And at some point on Saturday evening, either Liverpool’s bid for the quadruple or Manchester City’s for the treble will be over.
For Jurgen Klopp, this will be a first FA Cup semi-final in his seventh season as Liverpool boss.
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In previous years he has never given the impression that it is a competition which features high on his list of priorities.
Even this season he has effectively fielded his reserve team to get past Shrewsbury, Cardiff, Norwich and Nottingham Forest.
But all of a sudden, this means more.
And anything less than a full strength side against City will only end in tears.
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Luckily for Klopp, he had the luxury of being able to rest Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara for Wednesday’s Champions League game against Benfica.
City, meanwhile, will limp down Wembley Way with their players still battered and bruised from their brutal encounter with Atletico Madrid.
And you have to wonder if that battle with the Spanish champions will tip the balance in Liverpool’s favour tomorrow.
Pep Guardiola claimed his team are in “big trouble” for Wembley after Kevin de Bruyne and Kyle Walker hobbled off injured in midweek and Phil Foden was kicked from pillar to post by Felipe.
Even with a squad as deep as the Atlantic, Pep has no-one who can replace the creative genius of De Bruyne.
The Belgian’s absence would be a game-changer in a match of this magnitude.
And given the tortuous journey the supporters must undergo to make it to Wembley tomorrow, they deserve to see both teams at their brilliant best.
The Football Association are doing their utmost to fill the stadium after the geniuses at Network Rail decided to cancel all trains from the North-West over the Easter weekend.
But 100 free coaches is barely going to touch the sides of the travel chaos facing fans who have followed their teams all across Europe yet suddenly can’t get to Euston.
Their only consolation would be a match as good as last Sunday’s 2-2 Premier League draw at the Etihad which left the title race thrillingly balanced on a knife’s edge.
Whatever the outcome of tomorrow’s encounter, the losers will still be able to console themselves with the knowledge that they can still win the Premier League and the Champions League this season.
Chances are they will be meeting again in the Champions League final in Paris on May 28.
But the only thing that matters right now is the FA Cup.
Because we are finally going to get an answer to the irresistible force paradox which has baffled scientists throughout history.
TO HULL AND BACK
HULL CITY owner Acun Ilicali has laughed off reports that he is set to sign professional irritant Mesut Ozil on a free transfer from Fenerbahce.
Considering that Ozil never travelled further north than Watford during his eight years, there is absolutely no chance of luring him to Humberside.
Ozil is out in the cold in Istanbul after a predictable fall-out with his Fenerbahce boss.
His agent, Erkut Sogut, has just had his debut novel published about the murky world of football transfers.
So it’s just his most prominent client who has lost the plot, then.
UNAI THE GUY
IT was a very good evening indeed for Unai Emery when Villarreal knocked out Bayern Munich in this week’s Champions League quarter-finals.
Considering that his team contains four Tottenham cast-offs, Francis Coquelin and a midfielder signed from Bournemouth, it was arguably the result of the year.
And if Erik ten Hag can get the Manchester United job on the back of taking Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals three years ago, why isn’t Unai in the Old Trafford running?
DODGY DUO
THE wheels of justice turn very slowly in Switzerland but Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini will finally have their day in court this summer.
The dodgy duo have been charged with fraud, forgery, misappropriation and mismanagement over a £1.35million payment from Fifa funds to Platini way back in 2011.
And it will be interesting to hear the old shysters trying to talk their way out of this one.
Blatter presided over years of football corruption during his time as Fifa president and Platini was his alleged partner in crime as boss of Uefa.
Seven years after they were kicked out of football, the game is still paying the price for their sins.
So as we all prepare for a winter World Cup in Qatar, let’s hope Blatter and Platini will be watching from a prison cell in Zurich.
DRAGONS WITHOUT FIRE
WELSH FIRE have just announced their squad for cricket’s new Hundred season and it doesn’t contain a single Welshman.
Then again, the Oval Invincibles are anything but unbeatable and there is absolutely nothing authentic about the Manchester Originals.
It’s almost as though the reality of this artificial tournament doesn’t quite live up the hype. More
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Tottenham preparing huge security operation for South Korea tour with Son Heung-min set for hero’s welcome
by Philippa Kaur 12 April 2022, 20:20
SPURS are preparing a big security operation for their mini-tour of South Korea this summer.The star attraction will be Son Heung-min, who is the country’s skipper and enjoys God-like status back home.
Son Heung-min is incredibly popular with Tottenham and South Korea fans alikeCredit: AFP
Tottenham will this week announce the July date for their game against the K League All-Stars.
They will also face Spanish side Mallorca, who will include South Korean midfield star Lee Kang-in.
Tottenham’s players have spoken about the trip with striker Son.
Some have joked that they will discover what it feels like to be pop stars.
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Prem teams are already popular in South Korea — and that is without having the nation’s most famous footballer feature.
The number of South Korean fans who arrive at Spurs’ stadium on matchdays gives a flavour of what to expect.
And we can reveal this is why organisers of the trip will put in place a major security operation.
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Tottenham have four official Korean fan clubs, bespoke Korean language digital platforms and commercial partnerships.
After returning from Asia, they will spend time in London before a game in Israel.
SIR ALEX FERGUSON made a surprise appearance at Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the Etihad on Sunday.
But at least the legendary former Manchester United boss was able to watch some decent football for a change.
Sir Alex Ferguson was sat in front of Gareth Southgate on SundayCredit: News Group Nrewspapers Ltd
WATFORD are giving fans a drop of at least seven per cent on their season tickets.
Although it looks as though they have already accepted which division they will play — as the online wallet states supporters will have 23 tickets for next season.
Watford might be preparing for life back in the ChampionshipCredit: PA
UEFA will this week send ‘eligibility’ letters to the football associations of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland.
This means they will be able to properly start putting together their bids for Euro 2028 and later this month, Uefa will hold stadium workshops for venues interested in hosting matches.
Old Trafford would be used for Euro 2028 – but only during the group stagesCredit: Getty
A minimum of ten stadia, one holding at least 60,000, one or preferably two of 50,000, at least four with a minimum of 40,000 capacity and at least three holding a minimum of 30,000 people are needed.
But with the potential of 32 teams, more stadiums may be required.
Old Trafford will be one but incredibly it would only hold group games as it fails to meet major European final standards.
Wales are offering the Principality in Cardiff.
Scotland initially just Hampden Park in Glasgow but Murrayfield in Edinburgh is a possibility.
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Dublin could have the Aviva and Gaelic football venue Croke Park.
Northern Ireland will offer up Gaelic football venue Casement Park in Belfast although it needs redeveloping, while Windsor Park would be a second option. More
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Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino are both top managers and too good for Manchester United’s faded Disneyland
by Philippa Kaur 11 April 2022, 21:00
IMAGINE the scene, maybe 12 months from now.Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag are sipping cappuccinos together in a pavement cafe, as these elite coaches tend to do, and reminiscing about the time they were the shortlist for the Manchester United job.
Pochettino has been linked with the Man Utd jobCredit: REUTERS
Ten Hag is believed to be closing in on the job at Old TraffordCredit: GETTY
“We dodged a bullet there, heh Erik?” chuckles Poch, after United’s caretaker- interim boss Steve Bruce has been sacked with his team in the bottom half of the Premier League.
It is an unlikely scenario but one which United undoubtedly deserve.
We are told, on genuinely good authority, that United have offered the job to Ajax boss Ten Hag, rather than Paris Saint-Germain gaffer Poch, because they believe the Dutchman would “fit in better to their structure”.
You mean to say Man Utd are claiming to have an actual structure?
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Nobody who watched them shamble to defeat in Saturday’s underachievers derby against Everton would imagine it — nor anyone who’s observed United for most of the past nine years.
But, in fact, chief executive Richard Arnold does the important stuff, like bragging about the club’s social media reach.
And United will soon appoint a “deputy football director” to assist “football director” John Murtough and “technical director” Darren Fletcher.
Then there’s “head of corporate development” Matt Judge, who is busy in recruitment.
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Oh, and Ralf Rangnick will still be hanging about in the background being a tactical genius for six days a month.
Perhaps Ten Hag could report to Rangnick via a dotted line in the management structure.
Ten Hag is apparently being demanding and exacting in talks with United.
And well he might be, given that he would be leaving a club which is famed worldwide for knowing exactly what they are doing for a club infamous for knowing no such thing.
He’d be joining a club with fewer European Cups than his current employers, too.
There is something delusional and patronising about that line emanating from Old Trafford about Ten Hag “fitting in”.
As if he would become a cog in a well-oiled machine.
But what if Ten Hag came to his senses and decided, as his compatriot Louis van Gaal has advised, to find a “football club, not a commercial club”?
And what if Pochettino — strongly touted for the United job since a lunch meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson six years ago — decided he wouldn’t fancy trying to fit into United’s so-called structure anyway?
Money and ego may well dictate otherwise for Ten Hag, or for Pochettino.
But Poch for United could end up alongside Brian Clough for England as one of those “greatest managers we never had”.
For Pochettino, a move to United would represent a one-way ticket from frying pan to fire.
From one Galactico club in PSG to another in United.
From a fading Lionel Messi to a fading Cristiano Ronaldo. This is not what Pochettino does.
There is, however, one Premier League job perfectly suited to Pochettino’s strengths. And it is, of course, Arsenal.
This is a man who moulded an excellent crop of youngsters, whipped them like dogs and broke into the Champions League at Tottenham.
Poch could go from managing Messi to RonaldoCredit: REX FEATURES
United could look to clear out high earnersCredit: EPA
Arsenal, like Spurs eight years ago, have an excellent crop of youngsters and crave regular Champions League football.
And, as any Gooner will testify, they looked as if they needed whipping like dogs during defeats by Crystal Palace and Brighton.
The Gunners seem to have an unshakeable faith in Mikel Arteta. He probably “fits into their structure”.
He clears out high-earning sulkers like Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, he embraces the academy — and Arsenal, unlike United, do at least have a sense of direction.
But would Pochettino be better qualified than Arteta to get Arsenal back to the top table? Undoubtedly.
Poch once said that he’d rather work on a farm than manage Tottenham’s bitter foes — but in reality no football professional gives a hoot about club rivalries.
This bloke played for Argentina, so don’t pretend he’s not capable of cynicism.
Like Ten Hag, he is a damned good manager. Too good for that faded Disneyland up in Stretford.
Over the moon at rivalry
THE pre-match press box chat at the Etihad on Sunday was intense.
When I asked if it would be OTT to state that City versus Liverpool was the biggest Premier League match for years, the fella sitting beside me was adamant I’d be guilty only of understatement.
Given that these were the best two teams in England, almost certainly in Europe and therefore the world, and that football is perpetually improving, we were about to witness the best match in the history of the world.
Manchester City vs Liverpool was a Premier League showdown that lived up to the billingCredit: Getty
And given that football is the only sport, the biggest and best sporting event ever staged.
So the only rivals to this spectacle would be the moon landings or the fall of the Berlin Wall.
And either of those would have been more momentous had Ederson been fannying around in the background trying to clear his lines.
Let’s Pep up run-in
SOME po-faced pundits claim this title race is actually enhanced by Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp refusing to indulge in puerile mind games.What nonsense.
Everyone loves a ruck — from rubber-necking schoolkids in the playground, to keyboard warriors piling in on social-media spats, to the 94,000 who will pack out Wembley to watch Tyson Fury on Saturday week.
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola refuse to take part in mind gamesCredit: Alamy
So come on, lads, give the people what they want and bin all this tiresome ‘mutual respect’ malarkey.
As someone once said: “I’ll tell you, honestly, I will love it. Love it.”
THERE were fulsome tributes paid to Neil Warnock after the arch promotion-winner and ref-botherer announced his retirement, aged 73.
Just like last year when Roy Hodgson retired, aged 73. And we all know what happened there. These men are addicts. Don’t believe a word they say about kicking the habit.
Sub fat chance
YES, yes, we know the introduction of five subs in the Premier League will favour the richest clubs, with the deepest squads.
But the news could actually be heartening for those of us who grew up loving players like John Robertson and Paul Gascoigne — geniuses who might not get a top-flight game these days because of their shape and the modern game’s ridiculous levels of athleticism.
Five subs might allow elite managers the luxury of cameo roles for a gifted chubster or two.
Perhaps they may even be allowed to have a fag on the go during their warm-ups.
Overweight drinkers and smokers need something to aspire to.
It’s called inclusivity.
WHO’S making up the new rules for Champions League qualification which will allow clubs who used to be good, but aren’t any more, to qualify anyway?
My money is on Finchy, David Brent’s mate in The Office, who, after narrowly losing a quiz night, decreed that the result should instead be settled by which man could throw a kettle over the pub.
PLENTY of stick for the fan who charged on to the pitch and halted a West Ham attack late on in their Europa League quarter-final against Lyon.
But it could have been worse.
Plenty remember Mido, Ilan, Benni McCarthy, Marco Boogers and Savio Nsereko coming on up front for the Hammers. More
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Neil Custis: Man Utd’s best bet for the future is to finish EIGHTH… luckily they are bad enough to make it happen
by Philippa Kaur 10 April 2022, 20:08
THE position Manchester United need to finish in now is well within their grasp.Even this team could not make a hash of it. Eighth spot and no European football next season is there for the taking.
Manchester United turned in yet another lacklustre display against EvertonCredit: REX
The Red Devil’s abysmal display at Goodison summed up their entire seasonCredit: REX
And they’d be wise to save themselves another headache and miss out on the Europa LeagueCredit: REX
That place is currently held by Wolves, who are two points behind the seventh-placed Red Devils having played a game more.
But United can make that up easily the way this team is playing. The very last thing they need is that seventh-placed Europa Conference League place.
Nobody at Old Trafford will admit it but they really do not want the Europa League either.
Yes, that night in Stockholm in 2017 when they won it against Ajax was a good one.
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But does anybody remember the rest of that campaign?
There is still something odd about the club celebrating any result in Europe outside the elite competition of the Champions League, no matter how far they have fallen.
And they have really fallen — and there is still some way yet to go. There is worse to come between now and the end of May, a lot worse, have no doubt.
Seven games left, among them trips to Liverpool and Arsenal, while Chelsea still have to visit Old Trafford.
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Mind you, would you bet a quid on them beating rock-bottom Norwich at the Theatre of Nightmares on Saturday?
For a long time, there has been talk of the need for a clearout, a new identity to the team and a manager being given time to enact all that.
Erik ten Hag is the man to do it and he will get a major boost if his midweeks are free from trips to the likes of Kazakhstan in November — I am still thawing out.
That extra time on the training ground will be vital as he gets to know the players and they get to know his methods.
An exhausting pre-season trip to Thailand, in sweltering humidity, and then Australia is hardly going to provide that.
David Moyes began life as the new boss of United on the back foot due to a red-eye record tour of Thailand, Australia, Japan and China.
One which still had the players asking “What time is it?” come November.
Still, needs must when the big bucks are on offer for the biggest club in the world and the brand needs to be seen in all corners.
Ajax boss Erik ten Hag will be at the Old Trafford helm next seasonCredit: GETTY
While the lack of European football may be viewed as another step back for some, it could well lead to two or three steps forward.
Look at this season and how Arsenal have benefited from being out of the Europa League.
Meanwhile, Leicester’s endless campaign of Europa League and then Europa Conference League has already added 12 games to their rota and counting.
In the meantime, the Foxes have been dragged back into mid-table mediocrity.
Arsenal have begun to grow again under Mikel Arteta, with a recent run of six league wins from seven evidence of that before defeats to Crystal Palace and then Brighton on Saturday.
United need to do what Arsenal have done: take a step back, accept where they are and grow again, rather than rail against everyone and everything at the dying of the light.
United are stuck in a darker tunnel now than at any time in over three decades.
But with a club this size, there should always be light at the end of it.
Another Europa League campaign would cause more problems for the Red DevilsCredit: GETTY
Ten Hag said something very interesting when he talked about his task of taking Ajax back to the top when he took over at the club.
He said: “In Amsterdam, there is also the superiority. The ‘We are Ajax!’ mantra. I see the benefits of this, don’t get me wrong but I also see the danger.”
Indeed, for United, the history brings expectation but also the extra pressure that goes with it.
There has also been a belief since the early post-Sir Alex Ferguson years that things will right themselves just because this is Manchester United.
The club needs to start again, rather than believe they will begin next season in a title race.
Is there the patience for that, though? Well everyone has run out of patience with this lot.
Beaten by an Everton side that had increasingly looked like being doomed to the drop.
Anthony Gordon’s deflected shot off Harry Maguire in the 27th minute was the difference.
In truth, there was a much bigger difference between a side who wanted it and one who gave up caring the moment Atletico Madrid ended their Champions League dreams.
That is why there will be no return to European football’s elite competition next season.
As manager Ralf Rangnick said after the game at Goodison: “The players should be eager to play Champions League but as long as we play like today, they don’t deserve it.”
As ever, the same old “blah, blah, blah” about it not being good enough came from inside the camp.
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The same old understandable criticism from the fans had already begun on social media long before the final whistle.
Just let it all end, celebrate eighth and start again.
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Harry Redknapp: With Dias injured Guardiola has lost his Van Dijk… and that gives Liverpool the edge over Man City
by Philippa Kaur 9 April 2022, 19:59
PEP GUARDIOLA has a cast of stars to make every manager in football green with envy — and Jurgen Klopp isn’t far behind him.We’ll see the vast majority of them at the Etihad this afternoon when Manchester City and Liverpool go toe to toe.
Pep Guardiola could really miss his integral defender Ruben Dias against LiverpoolCredit: Getty
But it’s so close to call that, ironically, I think the deciding factor could actually be the one man who WON’T be out there for a game many are calling the title decider.
Barring a miracle — or unless Pep is pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes — Ruben Dias will again be missing because of his hamstring injury.
And he makes such a huge difference to the City defence, I have a sneaking feeling that without him Liverpool will nick it.
Although I don’t go along with those who say the Premier League will definitely be heading to Anfield if they do, by the way.
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Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}READ MORE ON MAN CITY.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}NEW CLASICO .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}City vs Liverpool no game for the faint-hearted as rivalry reaches fever pitch
If City win and the gap stretches to four, I think it’d be too much for Liverpool to make up. But if — as I suspect — it goes the other way, it will still be so tight nothing is decided.
Both of them will go for the win — they never do anything else — but for Pep it is a case of stick or twist?
Going into it with a one-point lead means it’s almost like winning the first leg away from home and knowing you don’t have to go for it.
City don’t play that way, I know, but in the back of their mind will be the thought a draw isn’t a bad result. Liverpool, on the other hand, don’t have an option.
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They’re so marvellous — ten league wins on the run, going back to that draw with Chelsea at the start of January — and a forward line that’s been absolutely fantastic.
I imagine Pep will go with Aymeric Laporte and John Stones in the middle and the movement of those guys up front is so difficult to stop when they’re buzzing about.
When Liverpool were without Virgil van Dijk for so long, they were a different side. Dias has the same influence at City.
He’s the leader of that defence, the one who organises and I can see Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota causing all sorts of problems on the counter.
This one is the be all and end all for both managers. It is the only thing that matters.Harry Redknapp
They’re all so sharp, they can pop up anywhere and you always think City — without Dias — give you the odd chance. You can’t afford to do that with Liverpool.
Like I said, though, if they end the day two points clear at the top, then nothing is decided.
With seven games left, it only takes one slip and it’s different again. We saw when Crystal Palace beat Arsenal how easily things can change.
When you look at their run-ins, you’d say City have the easier of the two. Liverpool have United and the Merseyside derby next and while they’re better than both, you can’t take anything for granted.
Spurs have to go to Anfield, too, and the way Antonio Conte has them playing these days makes them very dangerous opponents.
And don’t be thinking this game will have a big bearing on next week’s FA Cup semi-final, when City and Liverpool are at it again.
Liverpool have an embarrassment of attacking riches ready to cause havoc at the EtihadCredit: Getty
Virgil van Dijk is Liverpool’s leader on the pitch and sets the tone for the teamCredit: AFP
This one is the be all and end all for both managers. It is the only thing that matters. There’s not a chance Guardiola or Klopp will do anything but play their strongest sides today.
There’s no doubt you’re talking about the best two sides in Europe — by some distance. What a Champions League final that would be.
Having said that, City won’t have it all their own way against Atletico Madrid in Spain for their second leg next week.
Atletico boss Diego Simeone will believe they can overturn that one-goal defeat at home.
You saw in the first leg how they were kicking the likes of Jack Grealish and Phil Foden. It will all be going off in Madrid.
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Simeone will have them really fired up and City are in for a real scrap. I just hope they come through to face Real or Chelsea in the semis — and I think they probably will.
As for this afternoon, well that’s another story. But if you’re thinking of trying to get hold of me, don’t bother — I won’t be budging from in front of my telly. More
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Man City against Liverpool thrills just like United vs Arsenal… without the tunnel bust-ups and hatred
by Philippa Kaur 8 April 2022, 19:56
MANCHESTER CITY versus Liverpool — where does it rank as a Premier League rivalry?That is the question going around right now.
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola go head-to-head in the Premier League this weekend, and the FA Cup semi-final next weekendCredit: Reuters
Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson played out an iconic Premier League rivalryCredit: Getty
It is being compared to the Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson days — and that’s the bracket I put it in as well.
At the start of the season, if you’d asked people who they thought were going to win the league, it was Manchester City or Liverpool. Nobody else.
You take an outside bet if you want but this rivalry reminds me of the early 2000s when it was a case of asking: “Who do you think will win — Manchester United or Arsenal?”
It all goes in cycles but what makes this rivalry so good is how they dominate everybody else — and they don’t change for anyone.
City will not change just because they are playing Liverpool, and vice versa.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}DONE THE DOUBLE .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Twelve players who have played for Liverpool and Man City in the Prem era
It is just two teams who are self-confident, know what they’re doing and will just say: “Let’s have it and let the best team win.”
That is ultimately where the rivalry comes from as no one knows who is going to come out on top.
I couldn’t bet for my life who will be the absolute winner.
Unlike United and Arsenal, where there was a genuine hatred, with City and Liverpool it is a competitive respect. They all want success and they both know they are the best.
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I don’t think there has to be hatred, it is just pure respect because of how good both of the teams are.
There will be some tough tackles but none of this intimidation in the tunnel and Roy Keane versus Patrick Vieira. It will just be quality on display.
Everyone across the country will be talking about this game.
My Birmingham dressing room will be talking about it as we travel to face Nottingham Forest.
Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira’s intense rivalry was different to that of Liverpool and Man City
It is a title decider — it doesn’t get much better. If City win, it is wrapped up, but if Liverpool win then they go on to win it.
And it isn’t just in the Premier League. Look at what they are doing in the Champions League.
I don’t think both United and Arsenal were at that level.
They were challenging but they weren’t competing across all fronts in all the competitions.
That’s what these boys are doing. You have got to tip your hat, and the squads they have are something else.
I saw that City had a “reshuffled” back four the other day and it was worth £200million. It is ridiculous.
All either side need now is that new version of a No 9 down the middle.
If one of City or Liverpool get that, they go to another level and we are all screwed, aren’t we?
This is a rivalry that still has legs in it, too. Both Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp just love going at each other and, besides, what else is there outside of the Prem for these two?
What other exciting job is there? Everyone else is either going through transition or are not in a competitive league.
These guys will stick around, especially as Klopp will be desperate to add to his one league title.
There are those who think he needs another one to be considered a Prem great.
Yet the likes of Wenger and Fergie had a longevity that no one will ever have again, so we can’t compare this generation to that.
Besides, it is hard enough winning just the one!
I am really looking forward to this game. I am probably going to curse it now but this isn’t going to end as a 0-0, is it? It just cannot be boring.
Liverpool and Man City are set to serve up a treat on Sunday afternoonCredit: EPA
Sometimes with these big Super Sundays it gets hyped up and then it’s goalless or a cagey 1-0 win. That won’t be the case.
It is two attacking teams trying to break each other down. City aren’t going to man-mark Mo Salah like Jose Mourinho used to do in games.
Luckily for us, Pep and Klopp set up to attack and excite.
EITHER WOULD DO ME
SO, TROY, IF YOU COULD BE PLONKED INTO EITHER SIDE RIGHT NOW — IN YOUR PRIME — WHO WOULD IT BE?
TD: Either — because I would get about 40 chances per game.
A personal preference would have to be Liverpool because they cross it a bit more, with Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
That would do for me, for my style.
Klopp may show me some love but I wouldn’t mind being shouted at by Pep.
So, all in all, drop me in either and I think I would do all right, because they’re a joke. They could play with eight players and still win!
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It would be any player’s dream to play for either — that’s why people rush to these clubs.
It is not all based on finances. More
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Karren Brady: Jack Grealish following David Beckham into fashion with Gucci deal… I hope he doesn’t get the tattoos too
by Philippa Kaur 8 April 2022, 18:22
GUCCI have spotted something about Jack Grealish that has not always been obvious to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola or England manager Gareth Southgate.The fashion house, at least, are said to want him to make regular appearances in their clothes.
Jack Grealish is set to sign a seven-figure deal with GucciCredit: BOOHOO
Grealish is fast becoming a fashion iconCredit: INSTAGRAM@YUNGDARNN
But he shouldn’t fully follow in David Beckham’s footsteps and get a boatload of tattoosCredit: Splash
They are also prepared to pay him a seven-figure sum to do so.
That sum, I presume, will not be in the same league as the £100million that City paid Aston Villa for his services but will certainly help him put an awful lot of petrol in his cars.
Whether Gucci have chosen well we may shortly discover but don’t expect him to appear in long trousers.
He is well known for his style of shorts with his socks down, revealing what are now known as Jack’s Calves, body parts which set Brummie and Mancunian girls squealing.
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A bulging calf may not be everyone’s choice of a favourite bulge but it might catch on.
After all, when David Beckham first showed off the tattoo of a flying thing across the back of his neck, many of us recoiled in disgust.
And look where that got him. And how millions of lads and lasses — never mind middle-aged men and women who ought to know better — followed.
Today, tattoo parlours rival Turkish barbers as soaring industries.
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You may have guessed I agree with Harry Kane’s dad that tattoos grow ugly and indistinct on the aged.
As for tatt-smothered Beckham, he’s only a multi-millionaire, a football club owner in Miami, an English icon, a world-famous star and husband of a beautiful former Spice Girl. Not bad at all.
So, I wonder why he has not been knighted?
Whether those tattoos have anything to do with it? I have no doubt tattoo parlour owners would rate him an earldom at least but how about the honours committee?
Grealish has barely put a foot along that course yet. He’s a brilliant ball-player who provokes defenders to try to knock his little shin pads into the back row of the stands.
Grealish’s dress sense has bagged him a lucrative deal with fashion powerhouse GucciCredit: BOOHOO
Grealish has barely put a foot along that course yet. He’s a brilliant ball-player who provokes defenders to try to knock his little shin pads into the back row of the stands.
Generally, he smiles afterwards — although he has been known to face up to the assailant.
Whether he moves up the superstar league might well depend on his father, Kevin, who also acts as his agent.
But the Grealish family understands very well that he needs City to win trophies and for him to have some heroics for England to graduate there.
Grealish certainly does not need the Gucci cheques. It’s said he’s on £200,000 a week and apparently no spendthrift, although he likes fast cars.
I suppose the real point of all this is that he, like Beckham, has pizazz.
He also needs driving ambition to be something post-football.
It used to be that ex-players became pub landlords or sports shop owners after retiring.
Today, the best earn enough to own those pubs and rows of shops.
Beckham in particular changed that. Whether driven from inside or by his grimly determined fashionista wife, he joined a different kind of elite: the self-made businessman.
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He did fashion on the way, from tight underpants to dinner suits, and others including Hector Bellerin, Marcus Rashford, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo, are on a similar course whether or not they sport tattoos.
Grealish doesn’t brandish any. I hope his dad gave the same advice as Kane’s.
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Atletico Madrid are joyless, negative and soul-sapping and football lovers MUST be praying Man City beat them
by Philippa Kaur 7 April 2022, 18:49
ANYONE who really loves football must be praying for Manchester City to prevail in next week’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.For it is hard to think of a more joyless, negative and downright soul-sapping team than the Spanish champions.
Diego Simeone fielded an incredibly defensive starting XI against Man City in midweekCredit: Getty
Atletico played joyless, soul-sapping footballCredit: Rex
Their utter lack of ambition in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at the Etihad the other night was an affront to a competition which is supposed to be the pinnacle of club football.
They set up in a 5-5-0 formation, didn’t have a single shot and made no attempt to hide their intention of frustrating City at every turn.
Back in the day, ex-Stoke boss Alan Durban infamously sneered: “If you want entertainment, you should go to the circus and watch a bunch of clowns.”
He would have loved Diego Simeone, the Atletico coach who revels in his role as pantomime villain.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Man City 1 Atletico 0 .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}De Bruyne breaks Atleti’s resistance after touch of class from Foden
For it seems that nothing gives Simeone more pleasure than upsetting the purists with his soccer cynicism.
Doubtless there will be some people who found Tuesday’s clash of cultures to be a fascinating tactical battle between two coaching grandmasters.
So, yes, there is more than one way to skin a cat. And who is to say that Pep Guardiola’s philosophy is any more effective than Simeone’s?
His approach clearly works, as proved by the fact that they won LaLiga last year and have knocked AC Milan, Porto and Manchester United out of this season’s Champions League.
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FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Now they are looking to extend their run by overturning a 1-0 deficit against City at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday.
But they will have to cross the halfway line if they’re going to achieve that ambition. And that’s a risk which clearly terrifies Simeone if this week’s game was anything to go by.
Atletico’s approach was the polar opposite of their neighbours Real, who now have one foot in the semis after ripping Chelsea apart with their bold attacking play.
Wednesday’s game at Stamford Bridge was everything the Champions League is supposed to be about, a celebration of the world’s finest players going toe-to-toe.
The previous evening at the Etihad, it was simply one team trying to engage with the paying audience and the other looking to suck the very life out of proceedings.
In some ways, it’s difficult not to have a degree of grudging admiration for someone so cussedly awkward as Simeone.
But he has taken his anti-football to unacceptable levels and for the good of the game City need to deliver his comeuppance next week.
No trust for Tino
FIFA has taken the highly unusual step of issuing an official statement to deny rumours matches at this year’s World Cup finals will last 100 minutes.
It was Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport who reported Fifa chairman Gianni Infantino was looking to extend games because the ball spends so long out of play.
And clearly that touched a nerve, as the game’s governing body doesn’t usually react so swiftly to these stories.
But that suggestion only gained traction as, with this lot, absolutely nothing can be ruled out.
So when Infantino pretends there were never any plans to stage the World Cup every two years, all of football is sceptical.
Particularly when he then floats the idea of holding it every three years.
So please excuse our suspicious minds. Because some people in charge at Fifa can’t be trusted as far as they can be thrown.
Gianni Infantino isn’t changing the length of World Cup games… yetCredit: Getty
Can this Dan ban
IT has been suggested that Wimbledon plan to ban Daniil Medvedev unless he denounces Vladimir Putin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
I have no problem with barring all Russians from competing in international sport because we need to drive the message home to Moscow that they are the pariahs of the world.
But it is wrong to put pressure on individual athletes to make political statements which could jeopardise their family and friends back home.
Medvedev might well be appalled by the behaviour of his country’s government, just as many Brits are disgusted with ours.
The difference is that no one is going to be drinking polonium tea if they have a pop at Boris.
Daniil Medvedev shouldn’t have to put his family at risk to play at WimbledonCredit: AP
Not exactly subtle
YORKSHIRE CCC are looking to draw a veil over their racism issues by signing a sponsorship deal with an Indian firm called Clean Slate.
Have you seen what they’ve done there? Subtle as a flying brick.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}’ANIMAL’ .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Sabina’s parents blast killer as ‘ANIMAL’ as he cowers in cell afraid to face them
Cashing out
ROMAN ABRAMOVICH has apparently been tapping up his Hollywood mates for a loan to help him pay his staff while he is under sanctions due to his ties to Vladimir Putin.
If only Chelsea’s Russian owner knew a whole bunch of young multi-millionaires with access to ready cash to tide him over. More

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