A celebrated UAE football coach is now sparking sporting debate on national radio – and central to it is the upcoming English football battle between Manchester City and Liverpool.

Omar Al Durri presents a weekly show on Pulse 95 Radio, part of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, and says loyalties are split between the two clubs for two reasons – the local ownership of City and the form of Egyptian star Mo Salah.

“Tensions will be running high across the country for the upcoming Man City v Liverpool match. Mo Salah is a regional treasure and hero to so many people, especially in the Middle East. We’ve had people texting and calling in about how they’re falling out with their best friends and families about the match and in some homes it’s even been a banned topic of discussion.

Everyone wants to see Mo Salah doing what he does best and putting balls in the back of the net but at the expense of Man City’s victory?”

The Half-Time show highlights sports from a different lens, covering what goes on behind the scenes. The show airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturday from 3-4pm on Pulse 95 Radio.

Topics are centered around the dynamics of a locker room, tactical insights and a backstage look at the role mental health plays in sports.

“We’ll be inviting people to voice their opinions in the run up to the match and talk about how the game has impacted their relationships with friends and families. We always encourage people to call in and share their thoughts and predictions for the games but this one will be very interesting as it’s so close to home.”