Manchester City defender Rúben Dias has fired back at Liverpool and England star Trent Alexander-Arnold after he claimed that winning trophies “means more” to Liverpool as a club and a fan base.
The Portuguese centre-back joined his fellow teammate Erling Haaland in rubbishing Alexander-Arnold’s opinion in a recent interview with FourFourTwo, after he suggested that looking at how “both clubs have built their teams and the manner in which we’ve done it probably means more to our fans.”
Liverpool’s currently injured left-back went on to tell the sporting outlet: “It’s difficult. You’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.” Unsurprisingly, Dias was having absolutely none of it.
“Focus on ourselves. That’s the way to be a big club. Not commenting on other people’s success”#ManCity’s Ruben Dias on Alexander-Arnold’s comments that Liverpool’s success means more to fans.
Rúben Dias responds to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s comments about Man City’s success over the last decade.
As you can see, the 26-year-old had very little time for Trent’s remarks, simply replying by saying, “it’s pretty certain between us and our fans about how much it meant for all of us [to win the treble].
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Dias went on to throw in a bit of a jab of his own, adding: “At the end of the day, you can only have certain emotions if you actually win stuff, so — you can only know how it feels [to win a treble] when you actually do it”.
Cold as ice. His response pretty much mirrored Haaland‘s comeback earlier in the week too, who also said that the Scouser doesn’t know the feeling of this particular achievement, insisting “They can talk as much as they want… I do not know why he does that, but I do not mind.”
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Speaking to Sky Sports, the Norwegian number nine who is once again looking back to business as usual said he cannot wait for Man City to take on their title challengers this Sunday, dubbing it a “special game” which will need both sides to be at their best.
We have no shame in admitting we enjoy a bit of trash-talk ahead of any derby or big game — it feels a little bit throwback at times when compared to the usual kind of answers we see from players in the media these days — and everyone knows how big a fixture this is.
With Jürgen Klopp’s side still top of the table in what will be his last year on Merseyside following the recent announcement of his departure at the end of this season, and City eyeing up a record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League trophy, there’s a lot at stake beyond just the usual rivalry.
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This one could genuinely be the title decider and with both sides looking in good form, we’re expecting a proper blockbuster.
As for Alexander Arnold’s comment about the serial winners, he’ll be able to find out just how much it means to the squad and the supporters when their much-anticipated Treble documentary drops on Netflix next month.
Featured Images — FourFourTwo (via YouTube)/BBC Radio Manchester (via X)
Sport
Stockport County to introduce safe standing at Edgeley Park
Danny Jones
Stockport County will soon be introducing safe standing at Edgeley Park as part of the pending stadium development plans.
The Hatters may have just missed out on promotion to the Championship, but it’s still been an exciting few years for the club that has seen a fresh surge in young new supporters in addition to their passionate lifelong followers.
In more fantastic news for fans, County have announced that brand new safe standing sections will be installed across the ground.
Confirming the news on Wednesday, the club said: “After receiving all necessary approvals and working closely with safety authorities, we are set to install rail seating in two designated areas of the stadium.
Stockport County is thrilled to announce the introduction of safe standing areas at Edgeley Park ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Visit the club site for more details on this exciting new development ⤵️#StockportCounty
— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) May 28, 2025
As detailed on the club website, there will be two new dedicated safe-standing/rail-seated zones – one in each main stand: the back five rows of seats in the Cheadle End’s upper tier and the back two rows of the Vitality Railway End.
With Stockport Council greenlighting plans for League One side to expand their home capacity, this reconfiguration is set to accommodate a total of 849 County fans and/or supporters.
Although this all depends on final approval from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), the aim is to deliver a “vibrant and dynamic environment for both home and away fans at Edgeley Park.”
The official statement goes on to explain that the push for safe standing is not just to provide more matchday options for those in attendance, but in hopes of further “enhancing the atmosphere and improving the overall matchday experience for those who prefer to stand.”
Couty has insisted that “The rail-seating system incorporates a barrier for every seat, ensuring that supporters are protected from a sudden surge or crowd movement.”
Safe standing is part of the larger Stockport County stadium redevelopment plans.
Addressing early concerns in a ‘What This Means for You’ section, they go on to add: “Season ticket holders currently in the affected rows will be contacted directly by the Club over the coming weeks with details on their options, including relocating to a seated area if they prefer not to stand.
“Information regarding new season tickets and matchday tickets in the safe standing areas will be released in due course.
“We believe this is another significant step forward for Stockport County and will further enhance the already incredible atmosphere at Edgeley Park. We look forward to seeing and hearing the renewed energy in these new sections.”
The safe standing plan is set to be introduced for the upcoming 2025/26 season, with the administration hoping to make this their last in the third tier. Do you see them going up next year?
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press Shot (via SCFC)
Sport
Rio Ferdinand is stepping away from TNT Sports after more than a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester United legend and ex-England international Rio Ferdinand has announced he will be stepping away from TNT Sports, leaving more than a decade with the broadcaster.
Ferdinand has spent the best part of the last 10 years serving as a leading pundit and analyst, as well as hosting his own ‘Rio Meets’ online series – the interview format of which has been replicated on his YouTube channel.
However, after having been one of their main anchors both under the BT Sport and even more so since the inception of the rebranded TNT Sports Football umbrella, the 46-year-old has confirmed he has now quit their regular coverage following the Champions League final this weekend.
In a lengthy statement on social media, the ex-Man United defender, who also played for Leeds, West Ham, Bournemouth and QPR, described it as a “difficult decision.”
Taking time to thank the network for their “tremendous support” over the years, especially those “behind the scenes, whose work often goes unseen but has been essential to our success.”
The talented centre-back retired in May 2015 after more than 500 appearances and 81 national team caps, making an almost immediate switch into punditry and remaining a household name.
Rio has also remained a popular figure at Old Trafford and, indeed, across various parts of Manchester since leaving United in 2014.
For instance, his self-titled Foundation has carried out some truly transformational local outreach across various boroughs, as it has back in his home city of London.
Responding to the news, TNT Sports said nothing more than “Thanks for everything, Rio”; meanwhile, fellow former Red, Danny Simpson (who retired last year and also works as a pundit/presenter for MUTV) added: “You’re going to be missed, bro. Every time you’re on, you give us all the mad insight.”
However, he has promised he will remain in the media industry, continuing to work under the Rio Ferdinand Presents digital brand and pursuing “other business interests”.
With his ‘Rio Reacts’ and ‘Vibe with FIVE’ series regularly raking in millions of views, he might not be on the box during European nights but you’ll still be seeing plenty of him.
Danny Jones -
8th March 2024 
