Liverpool-Man City is the new ‘big rivalry’, says Warnock

Liverpool-Man City is the new ‘big rivalry’, says Warnock

Pune: A new footballing season that sees many fresh faces and brings newer challenges is here, and it kicks off with the resumption of a rivalry that has gained great steam in recent time. As Liverpool get ready to take on Manchester City in the FA Community Shield tie on Sunday, Sakal Times caught up with former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock who expects another intense game between the sides.

“Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have both missed key players in pre-season due to injuries, but Sunday’s game is another great opportunity for both teams to go into the season with a trophy. I wish both teams would have had all their players fully fit, but it will be a good game between two of the best teams in Europe right now,” said the 37-year old.

When quizzed about his prediction, he added,” I think it will be 1-1 in regulation time and then its up to who holds onto their nerves in the penalty shoot-out.”

Reminiscing Anfield
Warnock, who began his association with Liverpool at the age of 10, had always dreamt of playing for the Reds and admitted that he constantly believed he would make the first team, right from the moment he set foot in the academy. Speaking about the experience, Warnock said,” To walk out at Anfield for the first time was worth all the hard work and setbacks I faced growing up. It was a dream come true especially when you have played football in the streets and playgrounds as a kid while constantly dreaming of playing for a particular club.”

He went on to make 40 appearances for Liverpool before playing for Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Leeds United to name a few, in his club career.

While Warnock shares the experience of playing at Liverpool’s iconic home ground and in front of its famous stand called the ‘Kop’ with many other players, there is one such moment in the presence of the Kop that he can call purely his own. It came when he was playing for Blackburn against Liverpool in 2009 and he presented a flower display displaying the number ‘96’ to his former club on behalf of Blackburn, to pay their respects to the 96 Liverpool supporters who lost their lives in the ‘Hillsborough disaster’ in 1989. 

“I was asked the day before the game if I could do it, and I was honored. I started crying when the crowd was singing as I was making the presentation. Being a Liverpool supporter throughout my life, I knew what Hillsborough meant to the club and its fans, and it was a very emotional moment for me, recalled Warnock.

He missed out on being in the squad for one of greatest moments, the famous 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan, but did go on to earn silverware with victory in the UEFA Super Cup.

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