Mikel Arteta has enjoyed a successful season at Manchester City as the mega-rich club secured the domestic trio of the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup.
In an interview with MARCA, the former Arsenal midfielder explains how Anfield is the one place he dreaded going to as a player.
The Reds were pipped on the final day of the season by City to the Premier League title, but Arteta only has positive things to say about their rivals.
He was asked if he was surprised by how fierce Liverpool’s fight was throughout the season, and the former Everton man said he wasn’t.
“It is very difficult to beat them. Also, in my playing career, Anfield was the only ground where in which I had the feeling of ‘pájara’, of being stuck,” he said.
“It happened to me with Arsenal, and we conceded five – you say: ‘I do not know what’s going on, stop the game, please, because I do not know where I am’.
“It’s hard to explain, but it never happened to me anywhere other than Anfield. Barça surprise me by the form of some of their goals, but at Anfield you can concede five without knowing.
“Neither in Spain nor in Greece or Germany did I have that feeling. Not even in Old Trafford.”
It’s hardly a surprise Arteta feels with way about Anfield – as he rightly admitted, you can concede five a at Anfield before you’ve even realised what’s happened.
He saw this over the years with Everton and Arsenal; and even at City as a manager. The Reds are often relentless when the Anfield faithful are right behind them.