Klopp backs Trent over Haaland row

JURGEN KLOPP has defended Trent Alexander-Arnold after the Liverpool vice-captain sparked a war of words with Manchester City this week by saying winning the Premier League title ‘means more’ to the Merseyside club. Alexander-Arnold claimed that Liverpool’s trophies had more meaning for fans due to the financial situations at both clubs, with City talisman Erling Haaland biting back by saying: ‘I won the Treble, I don’t think he knows exactly this feeling.’ But Klopp has hit back, saying: ‘I am not sure how often in this club that we have to say how much we respect City. ‘Trent respects that. He was born in Liverpool, he stood on the bins (outside Melwood to watch players train). What would you think in that situation? One of our slogans, that I love, is “This means more”. This club is special to us. So if we feel it, why shouldn’t we be allowed to say it?’ City boss Pep Guardiola said his players can do their talking on the pitch. ‘My players defend the club not by responding to this guy but what they have done for many years on the pitch every three days,’ he said. ‘That is the best way.’ Meanwhile, Liverpool are hoping to wrap up a deal for outgoing Bournemouth transfer chief Richard Hughes to take over as sporting director in the next weeks, with the 44-year-old expected to head up the Reds’ football operations under Michael Edwards. The Merseyside club held positive talks with former sporting director Edwards in Boston last weekend, with a view for him to return to the club in a more senior and wider role.

MERSEYSIDE POLICE will deploy surveillance teams to monitor Manchester City’s arrival at Anfield. The hope is that the presence of the units, who have the ability to covertly film events, will deter anyone from launching missiles at City’s bus ahead of kick-off.