By Julia Payne BRUSSELS Europe is in danger of losing the race to become a global battery powerhouse

Pep Guardiola has claimed his legacy at Manchester City is “exceptional” whether or not he wins the Champions League. The Catalan needs one more victory to secure a fifth Premier League trophy in six seasons and became the first manager to do a domestic treble in 2018-19, as well as setting a top-flight points record of 100 the previous year. But this is his seventh attempt to win the Champions League with City, who lost the 2021 final and host Real Madrid on Wednesday after drawing 1-1 in the first leg of their semi-final in what Guardiola accepted is one of the most significant games of his reign. Guardiola believes his side do not need to do anything incredible to beat Carlo Ancelotti’s side but feels he will be remembered more for the quality of football his side have played. “My legacy is already exceptional already,” he said. “We have been here many times, we are not stupid to know how important it is. It is one of the most important [matches], with the competition and the rival. “I’ve told the players to enjoy the moment, we are incredibly lucky to be here. It’s in our hands. It depends on us. We don’t have to do anything exceptional, [just] win one game to reach the final and we’ll do everything. I have incredible feeling about the players: whatever happens, thank you so much to them for getting us here again. “My legacy: there has been a great generation of players that has been here. My legacy: maybe we could have a book about it one day but you won’t be judged on whether we won the Champions League or not. The legacy is we had a great time and played great football and the best legacy you can have is you have performed well and played well.” City will be without the injured Nathan Ake but Kevin De Bruyne, who was an unused substitute for Sunday’s win at Everton, is fit. City beat Real 4-3 in the first leg of last season’s semi-final and Guardiola would happily settle for a repeat scoreline. He added: “We’d like to have the game we had last season, I’d sign for it right now but I don’t think it will happen.” Real have won the Champions League a record 14 times and Guardiola searched for an explanation as to why they are the kings of Europe. “If I knew that I would know the method of beating them,” he said. “Basically the reason is they have always had great quality players, without players of that standard, they would not be able to achieve that.” Read More Man City being driven to title by man of the moment – and it’s not Erling Haaland The no-impact substitute: Kalvin Phillips’ ongoing humiliation gives Man City a problem What do Manchester City need to win the Premier League title? The no-impact substitute: Kalvin Phillips’ humiliation gives Man City a problem Rising stars have chance to emulate footballing greats at FIFA youth tournament ‘A dream come true’: Pep Guardiola elated at position of treble-chasing Man City

Perhaps this was another hint, another example, another reason why Trent Alexander-Arnold seems to both want to play further up and why, eventually, he must. The early knockings of this fixture looked like it might be about who performed the switching six role better: the Liverpool man from right-back as usual, or Manchester City’s central defender Manuel Akanji, stepping forward to sit alongside Rodri. That rotation of position has become commonplace for both teams and continued here, albeit in different ways, and hinted that it might be a decisive factor early on. But it wasn’t; not really, not for a vast majority of the game. Until it was, and Alexander-Arnold secured a 1-1 draw with his late, bottom corner strike. On the one hand, the attacking technique, the precision, the increased proficiency in the final third and in open play, all show why there have long been calls for the No.66 to be deployed in a more advanced role. It’s why that’s where Gareth Southgate has finally found a way to get Alexander-Arnold into the England team, and it’s why this alteration was ultimately landed upon by Jurgen Klopp and his coaches last term, when the old approach fell so badly short. One of those assistants, Pepijn Lijnders, was a driving force behind the switch to this system of pushing one defender into midfield, having utilised Alexander-Arnold at the base of his own centre of the park when in charge of the Reds’ youth teams several years ago. But on the other hand, too many quickdraw conclusions about pushing Alexander-Arnold forward as a consequence of a single goal will doubtless have Klopp pointing out the remainder of this match, a game where he did still play right-back and did still contribute to a very disciplined, highly deliberate performance to contain Man City. Defensively, he wasn’t perfect. That’s a hard thing to attain against anyone, let alone the European champions. Alexander-Arnold - along with Kostas Tsimikas and Dominik Szoboszlai, plus Alisson’s kicked clearance in the first place - were all culpable in City’s opener. They made it far too easy for Nathan Ake to waltz through unchallenged and play in Erling Haaland to score. So too is it true that Alexander-Arnold faced a tough time in keeping track of Jeremy Doku’s continual chop-backs, close control and dribbles. While he didn’t stop anywhere near all of those individual moments in City’s attacking play, he did hold the Belgian off at times, made a couple of vital tackles and followed the team plan of doubling up on the inside. Additionally, he made a big challenge to clear from inside the six-yard box in the first half with Haaland lurking, and defended his post well in the final knockings of the game as City sought a late winner. Winning possession nine times across the course of the game put Alexander-Arnold top of that particular defensive cover-all metric. No defender made more than his three tackles; no player on either side in any position made more than his two interceptions. It all adds up to show he more than played his part in a resolute showing, with Joel Matip alongside him outstanding, Virgil van Dijk continuing his recent excellent form and Kostas Tsimikas also improving on the left. Perhaps it’s as well for Liverpool that the back four were near pitch-perfect, given that behind them, Alisson was erratic and fortunate with a series of misplaced passes and one dropped corner, ruled as a foul as Ruben Dias thought he had scored. Alexander-Arnold was far more withdrawn, far less adventurous even when drifting infield to pair up with Alexis Mac Allister. He roved forward down the flank just twice in the first half; delivering a cross, winning a corner. Liverpool didn’t over-commit. They waited, they probed, they let Darwin Nunez create moments of possibility. And, as time began to run down, Alexander-Arnold it was who finally surged through from deep, finally got himself on the ball in a dangerous, central part of the final third - and who took a fine first touch from Mohamed Salah’s pass, and an even better second touch to score. A low, angled drive past Ederson into the bottom corner gave him a first goal of the season to go with three assists in all competitions. While not an outrageous tally yet by his own creative standards, he has already been disrupted by injury and needed a few games back on the pitch to hit top speed. There’s unquestionably more to come from Alexander-Arnold in an attacking capacity and he might yet become a vital man in the middle. But as he showed at the Etihad, the hardest ground Liverpool or any other team will go to this year, he still has a big part to play in the Reds’ defensive gameplan too - without stopping him shining at the other end. Read More Banner calling for release of activist in UAE flown over Etihad Stadium Erling Haaland makes history before Trent Alexander-Arnold earns a point Burnley vs West Ham LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Luton Town vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Newcastle vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Nottingham Forest vs Brighton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

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Manchester United Supporters’ Trust has called for clarity amid the club’s takeover saga. The group has also outlined 11 questions to owners the Glazer family, including what changes to the club would happen as a result of a new minority shareholder. It comes after Sheikh Jassim withdrew from the process to buy the club. Sheikh Jassim became the first bidder to publicly confirm he had made an offer for the Old Trafford giants but he has now backed out, with rival bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly ready to buy a 25 per cent stake in United. “It would be wildly optimistic to think the Glazers are acting in the interests of supporters or are making ownership decisions which don’t centre on their own priorities,” a MUST statement read. “However, what supporters should expect at the very least now is some clarity and an end to this process. “Furthermore the outcome must include new investment into the club. It cannot be solely about the interests of shareholders, whether existing or new. “We call upon all parties to put Manchester United interests before their own interests. “If the reports are true regarding INEOS obtaining a 25 per cent stake in our club there are a number of questions around the transaction which need clarity before supporters can make any judgement on its merits.” We all want what's best both for our club and for all of our fans Joint statement by six Manchester United supporters groups Meanwhile, six United supporter groups have called for togetherness in any protests against the Glazer family. Manchester United Fans’ Advisory Board, the Manchester United Fans’ Forum, Manchester United Women Supporters Club, the Rainbow Devils, MUST and Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association have joined forces. Their statement read: “We all believe we need better ownership and investment for our club. “We all believe that fans have the right to lawfully protest. We all believe that fans have the right to be represented. “We all want what’s best both for our club and for all of our fans. “Many support protest, many support dialogue and many support both – they are complementary. “For the greater good of our club, let’s work towards our shared goals, set aside what divides us, and respect that different people, working towards the same goal, will have different strategies to get there.” Read More Jessica Gadirova braced for ‘tough and long journey’ after suffering ACL injury Wembley revenge to seal place at Euro 2024? – England v Italy talking points England fight off early Rahmanullah Gurbaz threat to limit Afghanistan to 284 Josh Adams believes Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake are ‘massive figureheads’ for Wales Sam Tomkins ready for family time after ‘selfish’ season ends in heartbreak Jordan Pickford insists England are not looking for revenge against Italy

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