23 hours ago
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Liverpool supporters might still recall Jack Grealish's cheeky three-word jibe as he prepares for his debut Merseyside Derby with Everton.
The 29-year-old has agreed to join Goodison Park after the Toffees secured a season-long loan deal for the winger. Three years ago, Grealish was amongst Pep Guardiola's key performers during City's historic Treble-winning season.
He was central to the Citizens' celebrations, from swigging champagne shirtless during their open-top bus parade to stumbling from a pub at 5am looking rather worse for wear. Amid all the festivities, Grealish shared a provocative Instagram post that infuriated certain Liverpool fans, reports the Mirror.
He posted a selfie alongside former City kit manager Brandon Ashton following City's 1-0 Champions League final triumph over Inter Milan. His caption wound up numerous Liverpool supporters, who viewed it as a deliberate slight against them.
The three words that irritated them were: "Weekend in Paradise" - the complete caption read: "Weekend in paradise my friend? Let's f------ avvvvv it."
Liverpool fans believed this was a pointed reference to them because Liverpudlian musician Jamie Webster penned and frequently performs a song called 'Weekend in Paradise'.
Webster is the Reds devotee who has travelled across Europe with his guitar, entertaining away supporters in fan zones at numerous matches and finals throughout the continent with his anthems about the club and its players. The backlash against Grealish became so intense that Webster felt compelled to publicly defend the former Aston Villa skipper.
Taking to X, he declared: "Just because I'm a Liverpool fan, it doesn't mean that players and fans from other clubs can't enjoy my music. I've spoken with Jack about football and music a few times, he's a top player and a top fella."
Whether Liverpool supporters will still harbour memories of Grealish's social media activity when he makes his anticipated Goodison Park debut remains to be seen. Provided his switch to Everton proceeds without complications and he avoids injury setbacks, the winger will make his maiden appearance at Anfield wearing Toffees colours on September 20, when the Merseyside Derby takes centre stage.
Grealish managed just seven starting appearances for City during the previous campaign and remained an unused substitute during their FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace. Whilst numerous reports suggest he was seeking a permanent departure from the Etihad Stadium, Grealish must settle for a temporary switch to the blue side of Merseyside.
With the World Cup scheduled for next season, he remains determined to secure his place in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the tournament spanning the USA, Canada and Mexico. Grealish was devastated when omitted from the Three Lions' Euro 2024 squad that progressed to the final in Germany.
During his Manchester City tenure, he claimed three Premier League titles, the Champions League and the FA Cup, following his arrival from Villa as the division's inaugural £100million player during the summer of 2021. However, he found it challenging to mirror his previous form in the blue kit of his childhood team.
Last season, he only managed to score three goals and provide five assists in 32 appearances across all competitions for Guardiola's squad, which didn't manage to secure any silverware.
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