Here we go- it’s Liverpool versus Manchester City week (one of two). It’s the battle of the two leading Premier League title contenders and the two sides who gave us perhaps the greatest title chase ever last season.
And the mind games have started with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola branding Sadio Mane a diver, while also extensively praising him.
“It has happened many times, what Liverpool have done, in the last few years, it’s because (Mane) is a special talent,” Guardiola said on BBC Match of the Day.
“Sometimes he’s diving, sometimes he has this talent to score incredible goals in the last minute. He’s a talent.”
Mane has certainly developed a reputation for being a play-actor, as he was booked for simulation in the first half of yesterday’s win over Aston Villa. It’s not often though that Guardiola plays this card on the opposition, ahead of a big match.
Maybe this is telling of the Spaniard realizing what kind of challenge he has ahead of himself next weekend.
Liverpool at Manchester City FYIs
Kickoff Sun Nov 10 4:30 BST, City of Manchester Stadium
Google Result Probability: Manchester City 38%, Draw 27%, Liverpool win 35%
Form Guide: Manchester City WWWLW Liverpool WWDWW
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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