Guardiola on ropes as Reds come swinging
CITY SET TO LAUNCH A DAUNTING RUN OF FIXTURES
Manchester City has signed a deal with Nexen Tire Corp to put the Korean company’s logo on their jersey sleeves next season, the first agreement of its kind since the Premier League decided to allow sleeve advertising.
The financial terms of the contract were not disclosed. “The price point would be less than the front of the shirt, but the media value is incredible,” the club’s Chief Commercial Officer Tom Glick said by phone. “There’s only a select number of positions on the top clubs worldwide and many of them aren’t available.”
By freeing up space that usually features a league logo, the Premier League created a new revenue stream for teams that are already among the world’s richest. The competition has the biggest TV deal in global soccer and worldwide exposure allows popular teams like Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United to sell sponsorships for top dollar.
“This is a very significant development in football sponsorship and one that brands should pay close attention to,” said Carl Woodman, UK managing director at Lagardere Sports, one of the world’s largest sports agencies.
“The opportunity to sponsor shirt sleeves in Premier League football will provide a premium level of sponsorship association with these clubs at a more accessible price point than traditional shirt sponsorship.”
The relationship between City’s owners and its principal sponsor Etihad — both the team and the Gulf airline are owned by the Abu Dhabi royal family — makes it easier for the club to address any concerns Etihad might have about putting another brand on the jerseys. It may not be so easy for rivals, whose sponsors might impose a contract clause forbidding them from adding any other logos to their jerseys. you have no chance. You have to be active and to be active, you need to be brave.”
Whereas three of City’s five defeats have come against other teams in the top six — Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool — Klopp’s side have shown a particular aptitude for top-ofthe-table clashes.
They are unbeaten in the nine league games they have played to date against the other teams in the top six and have emerged victorious on five occasions.
City captain Vincent Kompany will hope to feature after overcoming a knee injury, having been left out of the squad for the trip to Monaco.
Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan (knee) and forward Gabriel Jesus (foot) remain long-term absentees.
Klopp is crossing his fingers Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino will prove his fitness in time.
Firmino missed last week’s victory against Burnley due to a groin complaint, but returned to training on Friday.
Captain Jordan Henderson (foot) and striker Daniel Sturridge (hip) are definitely out and Divock Origi is a doubt due to illness.
But Dejan Lovren (knee) is fit after playing 75 minutes for the club’s under-23s on Monday and could take over from Ragnar Klavan in the heart of the Liverpool defence.