Walker cuts holes in his Man City socks in a bid to prevent sore calves during matches

Eagle-eyed football fans have noticed some gaping holes in the socks of Manchester City defender Kyle Walker in recent weeks.

Walker could be seen in Tuesday's Champions League clash against Liverpool with a number of holes cut out of his socks down the back of his legs.

Sure to anger City's kit man, Walker has been doing it because modern socks are so tight that he struggles with sore calves in the second half of matches.

The holes are supposed to release the tension placed on the calf muscles and reduce pain in the latter stages of a match.

West Ham's Arthur Masuaku has been doing the same, while Valencia defender Ezequiel Garay was told to get new socks by a referee after he also defaced his socks.

Walker's were not the only holes on show at the Etihad Stadium as City's defence let in goals from Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino that saw Pep Guardiola's side eliminated from the Champions League.

The Reds had a 3-0 aggregate lead after the first leg of the quarter-final tie but Gabriel Jesus scored early to give City hope of a comeback on Tuesday night.

Jurgen Klopp's side survived a City onslaught in the opening 45 minutes but went on to win the match and the tie in emphatic fashion.