Manchester City midfielder Rodri has echoed Pep Guardiola's claim that "everyone" is supporting Liverpool in the Premier League title race - but says his team want to "change the history" of English football.
The Citizens went three points clear of Jurgen Klopp's side at the top of the table with three games to go on Sunday, destroying Newcastle in a 5-0 rout to capitalise on Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Tottenham one day earlier. Post-match, a jubilant Guardiola made headlines by taking a swipe at the Reds which forced a response from Klopp on Monday.
Now Rodri, who lifted the title last season, has weighed in on the debate which has got fans talking after a dramatic weekend in the title race, telling Sky Sports: "Liverpool have a better history than us, this is normal, and of course Liverpool are a top two, top three team of all-time in this country.
"So, it's normal that the common of the group support them. But we are here to change the history and we are here to start being part of the modern era of the Premier League and be, one day, as big as Liverpool are now as a club."
The 25-year-old was on the scoresheet in their emphatic victory over Newcastle, bagging City's third goal of the game before his boss stole the spotlight with his controversial comments. "One week ago, everyone in this country supports Liverpool, the media and everyone," Guardiola told BeIN Sports.
"Of course because Liverpool has an incredible history in Europe. Not in the Premier League, they have won one in 30 years, but it's not a problem at all. The situation is what it is, we have to do nine points, maybe six, depends on what happens the next two games.
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"Now it's about Wednesday [away to Wolves ], a real final for us. We go to try to win. Our destiny is in our own hands, we have to think about ourselves. One point, three points, nothing changes."
The 51-year-old doubled down on his point and went on to say: "Liverpool are alongside United, the most important teams in history in terms of titles, history, legacy, dramas. We are since the last 10, 11, 12 years always there. I know we are sometimes uncomfortable but I don't care.
"The people want more Liverpool to win than us, it's not an issue, it's normal. They have more supporters around the world. This isn't the question, it's today before the start of the game people supporting us more than ever in a one-off game because they know even being out of the Champions League we can rely on these players."
Asked about Guardiola's claim ahead of his side's must-win trip at Aston Villa on Tuesday, Liverpool manager Klopp replied: "I have no idea if the country is supporting us. It is not the feeling I get when we go to other places, it's actually the opposite. I live in Liverpool. Here a lot of people want us to win the league that's for sure. But even here it's probably only 50 per cent."
