15 January 2024 , 17:00
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Rodri has sent a title warning to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool - claiming the return of Kevin De Bruyne is a turning point.
The Manchester City midfielder reckons "everything is easy" with De Bruyne. The Belgian ace helped City to a comeback win over Newcastle with a goal and a stunning assist pass for Oscar Bobb's injury-time decider in the 3-2 clash at St James' Park.
Rodri was one of the City "captains" to call a dressing room meeting to urge Pep Guardiola's squad to keep the faith in the way they were playing, despite a lack of ruthlessness costing them wins in key games this season. The return of De Bruyne, although nowhere near fully fit after his hamstring operation in August, is crucial as they chase down Liverpool.
Rodri said: "Of course, when you miss this kind of player, who makes the difference, you never know. There’s games where we were the better team in my opinion, but we didn't have this extra talent to score or call it whatever you want.
"But with Kevin, everything is easy. This is the reality, we need him. All of these years, we need him now. He's gonna be so important for the next month and beyond. I told him that his season starts now and it's going to be key for us. We saw again at Newcastle, he is one of the best."
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City are on Liverpool’s tails after giving ground over Christmas as they racked up their Club World Cup triumph in Saudi Arabia. Rodri explained the player’s meeting and call to arms by saying: "It was just to make sure all the lads were focused on what our target was, don't be confused about the results or what the other teams are doing.
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"Just keep believing even though the points weren't there and the performances were good and it just was like a kind of you need: the spirit speech. I was one of the captains, I think it was a very nice thing to do, it’s something normally we try to do and it's something that helps the team. And the manager said in the speech that it is better to win like at Newcastle, rather than 4-0. Sometimes I disagree. I'd rather be a bit more relaxed.
"But yeah, it showed the character. I think Everton and Newcastle were quite similar games. We didn’t deserve to be losing at half time, the Everton game because of my mistake, and Newcastle because I think we weren't very clinical.
"But we are a team, we are together, we have to fix these kinds of things. I think that the way we perform the second half, you see that intention, this hunger inside."
Rodri expressed frustration at the way games are being refereed in "a negative way". He added: "I have eight yellow cards with two or three tackles, the others are like, I don't know what, but it is what it is. We know how tough it is to go to Newcastle and win, and to sustain this winning and performing. We get the best out of ourselves."