Pep Guardiola tells Man City to rise above to Trent Alexander-Arnold's jibe

Pep Guardiola refused to add his voice to the row sparked by Trent Alexander-Arnold's controversial comments before Liverpool vs Manchester City.

Alexander-Arnold raised the temperature in the build-up to Sunday's title-race showdown by claiming Liverpool's successes under Jurgen Klopp 'means more' to their club and fans compared to City's trophies under Pep Guardiola. He justified his claim by making a thinly-veiled reference to the different 'financial situations' between the two sides.

The comments haven't gone down well at City, with Erling Haaland telling Alexander-Arnold that winning the treble was a 'nice feeling', adding: "I don't think he knows that feeling." Ruben Dias also responded, insisting that 'big clubs' don't focus on other clubs.

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However, Guardiola declined to get involved in the row, simply replying: "I wish him (Alexander-Arnold) well. I wish him a speedy recovery to come back to the pitch as soon as possible."

Asked if he was happy to see Haaland and Dias defend the club instead, Guardiola insisted that his side doesn't need to use Alexander-Arnold's comments as added motivation on Sunday.

"I'm so happy with my players all the time over many many years. Do you think we're going to fight because Erling and Ruben talk?" he said. "We are there and we know what happened over the last years and we are going to try again tomorrow and do a good game.

"They defend the club not by responding to this guy but what they have done for many years on the pitch every three days. That is the best way.