Liverpool is one of four Premier League teams that prepped early in case of Manchester City's guilty verdict and could be set to earn an eyewatering financial windfall
Pep Guardiola's old side may be forced to pay Liverpool a large sum
Pep Guardiola's old side may be forced to pay Liverpool a large sum(Image: Getty Images)
On Friday, the Premier League found Manchester City guilty on 114 of 115 charges from 2008/09 to 2017/18 for violating various league financial regulations.
Additionally, the Cityzens were hit with failure to properly comply with the subsequent investigation. Former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has previously stated that he would welcome an open-top bus parade for his two second-place league showings behind Manchester City during his time in charge of the Reds. There is also a UEFA precedent for awarding titles to runners-up finishing behind an incident first-place team.
Liverpool may also be one of a number of teams entitled to financial compensation for Manchester City's transgressions, with the club claiming £100 million ($132 million) as a result of the rule breaches.
A report from The Times indicated that the Reds are one of four Premier League sides, including Arsenal, Manchester United, and Tottenham, who issued notices to Manchester City in 2024 about seeking future compensation if the club were ever charged.
Since City was charged for a period ending in 2018, the clubs filed the request within the required six-year statute of limitations to remain eligible for future recompense.
The £100 million figure was calculated based on the loss of income from lower league positions, which has a subsequent ripple-on effect in terms of missed Champions League qualification.
Jurgen Klopp finished second in the league behind Manchester City twice
Jurgen Klopp finished second in the league behind Manchester City twice(Image: Getty Images)
The Times noted Everton's £40 million ($53 million) payment to Burnley after the club's financial breach in 2021/22 allowed the Toffees to stay in the Premier League while the Clarets suffered relegation.
Manchester City Statement
The Cityzens issued a swift statement after reporter David Ornstein of The Athletic reported the club's guilty verdict, citing the club's February 2023 statement when the charges were first revealed.
“The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023," it reads.
“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”
Liverpool hosts Manchester City on Oct. 11 in the first game after the international break for both clubs.
Even though Pep Guardiola won't be on the touchline for the Cityzens, the Reds' Premier League rivals can expect a hostile atmosphere full of creative chants from the Anfield crowd.
City has previously denied any wrongdoing.