“Be free like Lionel Messi” - Leroy Sane opens up on Pep Guardiola advice after snubbing Liverpool for Manchester City 

Former Manchester City winger Leroy Sane has opened up on his decision to snub Liverpool and how Pep Guardiola gave him freedom like Lionel Messi. The Germany international spent four seasons at the Etihad between 2016 and 2020 winning eight trophies.

Sane was subject to interest from severalf clubs from across Europe following his rise to prominence at Schalke. However, Manchester City managed to secure the gifted winger's signature.

The German, who now plies his trade at Bayern Munich, has admitted that he was in talks with Jurgen Klopp regarding a switch to Liverpool. Sane told The Guardian, as quoted by The Mirror:

“Yes, I was also talking with them. Jurgen was calling me too, talking to me. That was before I joined City. He did a good job at [Borussia] Dortmund – I met him when he was there. He's a good guy, nice guy – honest. He [has] worked well with Liverpool.”

Sane has also opened up on how Pep Guardiola helped him to settle at Manchester City. He also revealed that the Spaniard gave him freedom just like he did to Lionel Messi at Barcelona. The 28-year-old said:

“I needed a little time to settle, to know the Premier League, the people here, how they are and to know the players. I had to find my confidence. Pep told me to play with freedom like [Lionel] Messi, not like Messi – it's impossible."

“Be free like Messi, have fun, do things like he wants from a striker like the end of the space [near goal] – take the option to shoot or give an assist,” Sane added.

Sane scored 39 goals and provided 43 assists in 135 appearances for Manchester City. He has been a key player for Bayern Munich since his move to Allianz Arena in 2020 having registered 51 goals and 50 assists in 189 games.

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Liverpool star names Lionel Messi his 3 dream barbecue guests

Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold has named Lionel Messi as the head of the table of his dream barbecue meet-up. Apart from the Argentine superstar, the Englishman picked Zinedine Zidane and Usain Bolt as the other guests.

Over the years, we have seen many fellow footballers opening up about their admiration for Lionel Messi and Alexander-Arnold is no exception. Asked who he would like to invite to his dream three-man barbecue meet-up, he said, as quoted by Liverpool's X account:

"I'd say Messi even though he doesn't speak a word of English. Yeah for sure (he'd be head of the table)."

On being asked why he would not head the table, the right-back said:

"Not when he's in the room."

The Liverpool number 66 added:

"Messi, Zidane and I'll say Usain Bolt, I love Usain Bolt."

Over the years, Alexander-Arnold kept it no secret that he is a huge fan of Lionel Messi and previously hailed him as the GOAT. Messi is regarded by many as the greatest player to have graced the game while Zidane is regarded as one of the best players of his era. Meanwhile, Usain Bolt is considered by many as one of the best athletes the world has ever witnessed.