Updated at\u00a007.10 EDT<\/p>\n
![\"Jamie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Jamie-Jackson,-L.png\")
Jamie Jackson<\/p>\n
Pep Guardiola will not stand in Rodri\u2019s way if the midfielder wishes to leave Manchester City<\/a> for Real Madrid, though the manager believes he will stay at the club beyond this summer.<\/p>\n During the international break Rodri, whose contract expires in June 2027, was asked about reports that Real\u2019s president, Florentino P\u00e9rez, wished to sign him. When answering, the 29-year-old referenced how being a former Atl\u00e9tico Madrid player would be no obstacle.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are other players who\u2019ve taken that path,\u201d he said. \u201cNot directly, but over time. For me, you can\u2019t turn down the best clubs in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Reminded of his stance that no footballer would ever be prevented from leaving City should they wish to, Guardiola said this would apply to Rodri. \u201cAbsolutely. The organisation of the club is above all of us \u2013 if one player is not happy, they have to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The small print<\/p>\n No replays in the FA Cup<\/a> quarter-finals. If it needs to go extra-time and penalties, then it needs to go extra-time and penalties.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Arne Slot has no regrets over his treatment of Mohamed Salah and claimed it was entirely the forward\u2019s decision to leave Liverpool<\/a> at the end of the season.<\/p>\n The Liverpool<\/a> head coach declined to divulge why or when Salah decided to leave the club as he faced the media on Friday for the first time since the Egypt international\u2019s announcement. Slot believes it should be left to Salah to explain the reasons for exiting 12 months before his contract is due to expire.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Team news<\/p>\n Pep Guardiola makes one change to his Carabao Cup-winning side. Marc Guehi, who was ineligible for the final against Arsenal, replaces Nathan Ake. That means James Trafford stays in goal.<\/p>\n Three changes for Liverpool<\/a>, whose last match was a 2-1 Premier League defeat at Brighton. Joe Gomez, Curtis Jones and Mo Salah come in for Jeremie Frimpong, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo. Alexander Isak is back in training but isn\u2019t fit enough to make the matchday squad.<\/p>\n Man City (4-2-3-1) Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O\u2019Reilly; Rodri, Bernardo Silva; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.<\/p>\n Subs: Donnarumma, Reijnders, Ake, Marmoush, Kovacic, Gonzalez, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Foden.<\/p>\n Liverpool (possible 4-1-3-2) Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch; Szoboszlai, Jones, Wirtz; Salah, Ekitike.<\/p>\n Subs: Woodman, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Gakpo, Robertson, Frimpong, Nyoni, Morrison, Ngumoha.<\/p>\n Referee Michael Oliver.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.53 EDT<\/p>\n There were more important reasons for J\u00fcrgen Klopp\u2019s return to Liverpool last Saturday<\/a>, but it was apposite his presence reminded Anfield of the unshakable bond and belief they once shared, the joy his football brought. Those pillars of Klopp\u2019s reign are weakening under Arne Slot and April may determine whether they are left standing at all.<\/p>\n Two cup quarter-finals in succession should signal a season on the right track for Liverpool; showpiece occasions such as Manchester City<\/a> in the FA Cup on Saturday and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday whetting the appetite for what May could have in store.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n It\u2019s Manchester City<\/a> v Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals, and you want a preamble?<\/p>\n Okay, okay. This is the tie of the round, followed by daylight, then twilight, then more daylight. The rivalry between City and Liverpool<\/a>, which peaked during some extraordinary matches and unprecedented title races between 2018 and 2022, remains one of the most vivid in world football.<\/p>\n In one sense, the stakes are even higher now than they would have been in an FA Cup<\/a> quarter-final a few years ago, because there\u2019s a very good chance that, for the first time in years, neither of these clubs will win either the Premier League or the Champions League.<\/p>\n City have the Carabao Cup in their back pocket, having produced arguably their best performance of the season to beat Arsenal a fortnight ago, and are still scrapping in the league. Liverpool have a Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain to come in the week.<\/p>\n Even so, this competition is the best chance of a(nother) trophy for both Pep Guardiola and the under-pressure Arne Slot<\/a>. Whichever team loses today will feel pretty empty \u2013 and not only because they\u2019ve been beaten by one of their greatest rivals.<\/p>\n Kick off 12.45pm.<\/p>\n![\"Andy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Andy_Hunter.png\")
Andy Hunter<\/p>\nAndy Hunter<\/p>\n