Manuel Akanji reveals fiery argument between senior Manchester City pair during recent Liverpool clash

Manchester City centre-back Manuel Akanji has revealed a dressing room argument between two senior players took place during the recent draw at Liverpool.

The 28-year-old is a doubt for Manchester City’s upcoming Premier League showdown clash with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon due to injury, with the defender having suffered an issue during the recent international break.

Akanji has started 31 matches for Pep Guardiola’s side so far this season, and was handed a start ahead of Ruben Dias at Anfield earlier this month.

The Swiss centre-back partnered John Stones during the draw on Merseyside, as Manchester City slipped to third in the Premier League table and one point behind both Liverpool and Arsenal in the race for the title.

City could leapfrog the Gunners with a victory this weekend, as the Sky Blues resume their quest to retain last season’s historic treble, with the Cityzens still competing in three different competitions.

Guardiola’s side have reached both the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and Emirates FA Cup semi-finals, with games against Real Madrid and Chelsea scheduled for next month.

The big games continue to come thick and fast for the Blues, with three Premier League matches in less than a week.

Amid the high pressure environment, Akanji has revealed that things have recently boiled over in the first-team dressing, detailing an argument between senior duo Kyle Walker and Rodri at Anfield.

“It happens sometimes, but that’s normal. You need to have it. The most important thing is that you talk about it after, and the next day you can move on,” he told GQ magazine.

“That’s what we have: We have a good changing room. We all get along really well. In the game against Liverpool, Kyle [Walker] and Rodri had an argument, but then shortly after, Rodri gave the thumbs up, they talked in the changing room, and then it was done.

“It didn’t affect the rest of the game. That’s what you need.”

City face Arsenal on Sunday afternoon but could also be without club captain Walker for the clash, after the Englishman suffered a suspected hamstring injury on international duty with England.