Jack Grealish**, the 29-year-old **Manchester City** star, has sparked controversy after ‘liking’ a social media post from **Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones** following their respective Champions League outings on **Tuesday, November 5**. The timing of Grealish’s social media interaction has drawn attention, particularly after City suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat at the hands of **Sporting CP** in their latest European campaign.
While Grealish has been sidelined with an injury for **Manchester City’s last five matches**, his action on social media following such a significant defeat has raised eyebrows and added fuel to the fire regarding his current standing at City. Despite his absence from the pitch, Grealish’s off-field actions have not gone unnoticed, and the ‘like’ of Jones’ post has prompted further scrutiny from fans and pundits alike.
### A Disastrous Night for Man City in the Champions League
It was a night to forget for **Manchester City**, as they were handed a heavy defeat in **Lisbon**. The game started with some hope for the Premier League champions, with **Phil Foden** putting City ahead just four minutes into the match. But what followed was a dramatic collapse as **Sporting CP** came from behind to secure a resounding 4-1 victory.
Swedish striker **Viktor Gyökeres** played a starring role for the Portuguese side, scoring a clinical hat-trick that included two penalties. The loss marked City’s third consecutive defeat in the competition, a surprising result given their dominant form in Europe in recent seasons. This loss is especially damaging for **Pep Guardiola**’s side, who had been favorites to advance far in the competition.
City’s fall from grace in the Champions League, compounded by the thrashing in Lisbon, has left many fans and analysts questioning the team’s form and their ability to deliver on the continental stage. The defeat came just days after City’s shock **2-1 loss** to **Bournemouth** in the Premier League on **November 2**, a result that saw them slip below **Liverpool** in the domestic standings.
### Curtis Jones’ Celebratory Social Media Post
Meanwhile, across the English Channel in **Liverpool**, it was a far different story for **Curtis Jones** and his team. The **23-year-old midfielder** was a key contributor to Liverpool’s **4-0 thrashing** of **Bayer Leverkusen** at **Anfield**, a dominant performance that further solidified their place at the top of the Premier League standings. Jones provided a crucial assist for **Luis Díaz**, whose opening goal was the catalyst for a resounding victory that put the **Reds** in an ideal position heading into the final stages of the Champions League group stage.
In the aftermath of the match, Jones took to **Instagram** to share his delight, posting: “Another good night in the Champions League.” It was a well-earned celebration of a night where Liverpool were at their best, enjoying a comprehensive win against a formidable German side.
However, it wasn’t just Liverpool fans who took notice of Jones’ post. As the night wore on, **Jack Grealish**, the Manchester City winger, made headlines for his involvement in the celebrations. Grealish, currently recovering from an injury and absent from City’s crushing defeat in Lisbon, seemingly threw a subtle nod of approval by liking Jones’ post.
### The Backlash: Grealish’s Social Media ‘Like’ Raises Eyebrows
The timing of Grealish’s actions was seen by many as controversial. On a night when his own team was suffering an embarrassing loss, Grealish’s decision to ‘like’ Jones’ celebratory post was viewed by some as a questionable move. While it’s not uncommon for players to interact with one another on social media, the optics of this particular situation raised some eyebrows, especially considering the rivalry between Manchester City and Liverpool.
For some, the ‘like’ was seen as a sign of Grealish’s shifting loyalties or a moment of insensitivity, as Manchester City’s European ambitions were unraveling in dramatic fashion. The timing couldn’t have been worse, and many fans quickly took to social media to express their displeasure with the Manchester City star’s online behavior.
However, it’s important to note that there may have been no malintent behind Grealish’s action. Social media ‘likes’ can sometimes be impulsive, and it’s entirely possible that Grealish simply appreciated the good performance of a fellow England international. But the optics of liking a post from a rival club, especially following such a demoralizing defeat, were not lost on fans and pundits alike.
### The Rivalry Intensifies: Liverpool Leapfrogs City in Premier League Standings
The timing of Grealish’s social media interaction was made even more significant given the **current state of the Premier League**. With City’s **2-1 defeat** to **Bournemouth** on **November 2**, **Liverpool** now sits at the top of the league, ahead of City on goal difference. It’s the first time in recent memory that **Liverpool** has managed to leapfrog **Man City** in the league standings, making their victory over Leverkusen all the more symbolic. With City’s recent struggles, Liverpool will be determined to maintain their momentum, especially with their newfound position of power in both domestic and European competitions.
The rivalry between the two clubs has reached new heights in recent seasons, with both teams regularly battling for supremacy both in the Premier League and on the European stage. Grealish’s controversial ‘like’ has only added fuel to the fire, and it’s likely that the upcoming encounters between the two sides—particularly in the league—will only intensify the drama.
### Grealish’s Status at Manchester City: A Time for Reflection?
On the field, Grealish’s season has also been less than stellar. The England international has missed **City’s last five games** due to a knock picked up in training ahead of their **5-0 Champions League win over Sparta Prague**. Since then, Grealish has struggled with injuries, and his absence has been felt by Guardiola’s side as they’ve dropped points both domestically and in Europe.
Grealish’s performances when he has been fit have also been questioned at times. Though he is widely regarded as one of the more talented and technically gifted players in the Premier League, there are some who feel he has yet to fully justify his hefty price tag, which made him the most expensive signing in **Manchester City**’s history when they brought him in from **Aston Villa** in 2021. As the season progresses, Grealish will be eager to get back to his best and prove himself as a key figure for the defending champions.
### Conclusion: A Tense Moment in the Manchester City-Liverpool Rivalry
Jack Grealish’s ‘like’ of Curtis Jones’ post may seem like a small and inconsequential gesture, but in the heated atmosphere of English football’s most intense rivalry, even the smallest actions can have large ramifications. With both clubs at a critical juncture in their seasons—**Manchester City** looking to bounce back from a tough few weeks, and **Liverpool** riding high after a commanding victory—this incident is just another chapter in the ongoing saga between the two sides. As both teams look ahead to the remainder of the season, this ‘like’ could become a point of contention that fans on both sides will continue to debate for some time to come.