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
The 2027 World Climbing Series is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
In yet more huge sporting news for Greater Manchester, the 2027 World Climbing Series is coming to 0161 later this year.
We’ve had plenty of big peaks of late, but things seem to just keep going up and up.
Set to host the global event for the first time in our history, Manchester will welcome the World Climbing Series (WCS), which is set to include both Olympic and Paralympic disciplines ahead of the next Summer Games in 2028.
2027 will mark the 38th edition of the series, which will also be one of only a handful to be held in the North – it’s just down to our city to make it the best.
Officially announced on Friday, 16 January, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) confirmed the return to the UK.
Founded back in 1989, the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) is coming up on four decades since the competition first began – Leeds being chosen as the inaugural hosts – the event has come a long way since then.
The IFSC’s rebranding of the annual bouldering, lead and speed trials to the modern WSC, which began last year, was initially revealed back in 2023.
Welcoming continental talent right down to the youth level, the upcoming 2026 World Climbing Series is taking place in the summer and will be hosted by the city of Innsbruck in Austria.
As for the WSC’s Manchester debut, which is being organised in collaboration with the City Council, Manchester Accommodation BID, MCR Active and the National Lottery via UK Sport investment.
It’s not the only big sporting celebration that the Council will be supporting in 2027.
Paul Ratcliffe, CEO of the British Mountaineering Council, said in an official statement: “It’s exciting to be able to confirm that a World Series climbing event will return to the UK in 2027 as part of the BMC’s major event programme.
“Hosting a competition of this scale in Manchester is a strong statement about the UK’s place on the international climbing stage and a great opportunity for our athletes, fans, the climbing community and the wider public to experience the sport at the very highest level.
“Our ‘Route to Adventure’ strategy sets out how we will build on moments like this to support people into climbing and help them progress, whatever their starting point. Using major events to inspire participation, strengthen pathways and reinforce our commitment to inclusion is central to our long-term approach.”
Scheduled to take place in June, you can find out more information about the 2027 World Climbing Series in Manchester by signing up for the official event mailing list HERE.
Manchester City agree deal to sign top Premier League defender Marc Guehi
Danny Jones
It looks like they’ve finally got a done deal: Manchester City have reportedly agreed a deal for the transfer of highly sought-after defender Marc Guehi.
Man City are said to have finally reached an agreement with Crystal Palace to sign the increasingly established Three Lions star after emerging as a suitor in recent weeks.
Pep Guardiola’s pursuit of the impressive Premier League centre-back ramped up earlier this month, as it became apparent that they were hoping to hijack Liverpool’s prospective move for Guehi.
The Ivory Coast-born England international looked all set to arrive at Anfield back in the summer, but the deal never materialised, and now rivals City appear to have sealed his signature.
According to breaking transfer news specialist Fabrizio Romano, Palace and Man City are said to have now reached an agreement in principle for approximately £20 million.
It’s fair to say that it’s an absolute bargain for a player of his quality.
While details surrounding contract length, wages and add-ons, etc., are yet to be fully confirmed (as is final verification as per an official announcement via his new employers), personal terms are not expected to be an issue.
On the other hand, the acquisition will also see Man City’s total spending to roughly half a billion pounds over the past year alone. Staggering sums for any sporting outfit.
Not that his former London team will mind one bit, of course, as it became increasingly clear that Guehi would be leaving eventually; manager Oliver Glasner – who also seems set to depart at the end of his contract – even addressed the sale in his most recent press conference.
You can see the clip in question down below.
''I wish him all the best for the rest of his career, he will have a great career I think''
Once again, we will have to wait for the official unveiling at the Etihad Campus, but we’d say that this interview is all the verification you need.
With Man City currently facing multiple absences, particularly in their backline with both Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias out injured, Guehi’s arrival is no doubt a welcome one.
Although many debated whether or not Pep needed to sign another centre-half, especially with two promising youth players returning from loan, supporters will nevertheless be glad to have snatched him from the clutches of Liverpool.
Over in the women’s team, they’ve also brought in a new member of the squad who could help spur on their title charge.
Danny Jones -
8th March 2024 
