Manchester City will face a hostile Anfield crowd on Sunday as they take on bitter rivals Liverpool in their first game since being found guilty of breaking over 100 financial rules. The Premier League leaders were found guilty of arranging "sham" deals to artificially inflate revenues and reduce costs by over £900 million ($1.2 billion) between 2009 and 2018. This verdict could have a significant impact on the future of the Premier League.
Manchester City and their Emirati owners have appealed against the devastating verdict, with manager Enzo Maresca expressing confidence that they will overturn the original ruling. However, Maresca urged his players to focus on the pitch, stating that they can only control the football side of things. The team's opponents have already begun to use the verdict to their advantage, with Manchester United fans goading them during their 1-1 draw against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Premier League season is currently in a state of stasis, awaiting a ruling on Manchester City's appeal and any potential punishment. The options for punishment range from a heavy points penalty to expulsion from the English top flight, with some speculating that City could have titles taken away. Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola expressed uncertainty about the situation, stating that no one knows what's going to happen.
Liverpool, who will be without injured players Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo on Sunday, finished second to City on three occasions in the past 12 years. The team's supporters have relished creating an intense atmosphere for City's visits since they emerged as title contenders following the takeover by their Abu Dhabi-based owners in 2008. This weekend's showdown is likely to be "massively hostile," according to Dom Farrell, author of the book "Glory Days for the Waifs and Strays."
Manchester City have made a flawless start to Maresca's reign, with seven successive wins in all competitions. However, the charges against the club were first announced in February 2023, and City went on to win the treble, clinching the club's first Champions League crown, as well as the Premier League and FA Cup. The question is whether Erling Haaland and his teammates can use the tumultuous events around them to fuel their performances.
Liverpool's rivals believe that Manchester City's illegal spending during the period under scrutiny built the foundations for a golden era under former boss Pep Guardiola. Twice Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool missed out on the title despite amassing more than 90 points. The battles for those titles made meetings between City and Liverpool special, with City having rarely enjoyed their trips to Anfield.
The outcome of Sunday's match could have a significant impact on the Premier League season, with some speculating that a City win could lead to a siege mentality, while a loss could lead to a sense of uncertainty. John Gibbons of Liverpool podcast The Anfield Wrap told AFP that City should be stripped of their titles, stating that otherwise, it sends the wrong message to anyone in the future.
Key points
- Manchester City face a hostile reception at Anfield on Sunday.
- The Premier League season is in a state of stasis awaiting a ruling on Manchester City's appeal.
- The guilty verdict could have a significant impact on the future of the Premier League.
