“Trent Alexander-Arnold doesn’t matter” — Akanji

Why did Trent Alexander-Arnold make that statement prior to facing Manchester City? Manuel Akanji battles the question as he slams the Liverpool icon.

Liverpool vs. Manchester City is transitioning into another profile of a fixture and despite the two recently playing out a 1-1 draw, the Blue half of Manchester continues to attack the Red half of Merseyside in response to what full back, Trent Alexander-Arnold said prior to the game.

The latest of the City stars to reply to the statement by the Liverpool right-back is defender, Manuel Akanji who like his Manchester City colleagues, has risen to lay a dig on Liverpool and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

According to the Netherlands international, the Liverpool vice captain’s words bear no consequences to Man City’s triumphs last season, with the Centre Back even alleging the Arnold to be envious of the premier league champions.

Speaking to Yahoo Sports, Manuel Akanji said;

“Alexander-Arnold’s words? I don’t know why he said it. He didn’t even play. He can’t tell because he didn’t win it. That’s all I have to say.”

“If you win three titles in one year, or five which we did, then he can speak.”

Akanji also added;

“I don’t think [it had an impact]. They probably tried [for it] to matter, but I don’t think it affected us. In the end we tried to go on the pitch and show our performance. It didn’t affect me.”

Prior to the 1-1 Anfield fixture, Trent Alexander-Arnold was famously quoted saying;

“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.

“How both clubs have built their teams and the manner in which we’ve done it probably means more to our fans.”

It has been a comment that has ever since, attracted reactions from Manchester City players and pundits connected to both clubs.