Liverpool legend John Aldridge discussed Man City’s 115 charges and the decision of Cody Gakpo not to join the Premier League leaders in his weekly column
Since my last column, the Premier League released a statement detailing all the wrongdoings Man City have been found guilty of. I am not surprised. I was not surprised by the verdict and I am not surprised by the extent of it.
I always knew it was going to come out. Especially after Pep left, it was obvious. But it’s remarkable that they’re still fighting it. From what we’ve heard, they think they’ve got a case to fight it. It looks to everyone else, except Manchester City fans, that they haven’t got a case to fight.
It’s all about wealth and power, and a bit of arrogance. The arrogance of it. We’re not just talking about football; we’re talking about politics, governments. That shouldn’t be in football. Football’s a sport, the former Reds striker told the Liverpool Echo.
True football fans will be anti-Man City because it has affected them all as well. So that’s all that their manager can do. ‘We’re still innocent. Go out and, in the face of adversity, show what you’ve got.’
But at the same time, our players have got to be wise. Go with the atmosphere, play with your heart and your head, and remember how many times we’ve lost the league to City. It’s time to make a statement about the new manager and his team.
Cody Gakpo dodged a bullet – Now Liverpool should sign Erling Haaland
Cody Gakpo could have easily joined Man City in the summer. We don’t know what they were telling all these players they were after, but it looks like he has dodged a bullet, hasn’t he?
All the City players’ agents now will be licking their lips. Because if City do go down, Haaland won’t be playing in the lower divisions. Will these players they’ve got, all world-class players, want to drop down and play there?
Or will they move to Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG – get the same money as they get at City and go to a bigger club? That’s what the agents will be telling them, because they get more money by moving them on.
It’s more money by moving them on than giving them new contracts. So, the agents will be licking their lips looking at the situation if it arises. If they have to sell, Haaland’s the first one you’d want. I’d love him at Liverpool.
Everyone will want him. They’ve got some great players. If it comes to it, a lot of quality players will be pushing for transfers. But we’ve all just got to wait until that situation arises and watch it develop.