Akanji exposes heated dispute between Manchester City veterans in Liverpool game

Manchester City centre-back Manuel Akanji has disclosed a dressing room disagreement between two senior players that occurred during the recent draw at Liverpool.

The 28-year-old is uncertain for Manchester City’s upcoming Premier League match against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday due to injury, sustained during the recent international break.

Akanji has appeared in 31 matches for Pep Guardiola’s team this season and was selected over Ruben Dias in the match at Anfield earlier this month.

The Swiss defender played alongside John Stones in the draw on Merseyside, with City dropping to third in the Premier League standings, one point behind both Liverpool and Arsenal in the title race.

A victory this weekend could see City surpass the Gunners as they aim to defend last season’s treble, with involvement in three different competitions.

Guardiola’s team has progressed to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and Emirates FA Cup semi-finals, with matches against Real Madrid and Chelsea scheduled for next month.

The Blues face a packed schedule with three Premier League matches in less than a week.

In the midst of the high-pressure environment, Akanji has shared that tensions boiled over in the first-team dressing room, recounting an argument between senior players Kyle Walker and Rodri at Anfield.

“It happens sometimes, but that’s normal. You need to address it. The important thing is to discuss it afterwards and move on the next day,” he mentioned in an interview with GQ magazine.

“We have a good team spirit in the changing room. During the game against Liverpool, Kyle [Walker] and Rodri had a disagreement, but shortly after, Rodri gave a thumbs up, they talked it out in the changing room, and then it was resolved.

“It didn’t impact the rest of the game. That’s crucial.”

City will face Arsenal on Sunday, but may also miss club captain Walker due to a suspected hamstring injury suffered during international duty with England.