Liverpool and other Premier League clubs could be in line for a compensation payout after Manchester City was found guilty of almost all of the 115 charges against it
Liverpool's US owner John W. Henry and his wife Linda Pizzuti Henry pose with Liverpool new vice chairman Amit Bhatia (2L) and his wife Vanisha Mittal Bhatia during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on August 29, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Liverpool's US owner John W. Henry and his wife Linda Pizzuti Henry pose with Liverpool vice-chairman Amit Bhatia and his wife Vanisha Mittal Bhatia
(Image: Getty Images)
Every team in the Premier League, including Liverpool, could be in line for a significant compensation payout after Manchester City was found guilty of almost all the charges brought against it.
In February 2023, the league's then-champion was hit with 115 alleged breaches of financial rules. City has staunchly refuted any allegations of misconduct and has been actively working to clear the club's name, but reports have now indicated it has been found guilty of all but one of those charges.
The hearings, conducted away from the public eye at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London, concluded toward the end of 2024. Speculation has been rife that a guilty verdict for City could see fellow Premier League clubs pocketing hefty compensation sums.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire, speaking with TBR Football in October 2025, suggested that Liverpool's ownership group, Fenway Sports Group, might consider the expense of legal action as worthwhile if it could lead to financial redress.
Maguire, who lectures on football finance at the University of Liverpool, also alluded to Everton's financial agreement with Leeds over lost revenue as potentially setting a precedent for future claims.
He remarked: "As far as Liverpool are concerned, the legal bill is the cost of doing business.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 5: A general exterior view of Etihad Stadium, home stadium of Manchester City ahead of the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester City and Coventry City at Etihad Stadium on September 5, 2026 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester City has reportedly been found guilty on nearly all of the charges brought against it by the Premier League(Image: Getty Images)
"They see themselves as one of the clubs who will have been significantly disadvantaged should Man City be found guilty. If we take into account the settlement between Everton and Leeds United, that could be significant precedent.
"But that is if City are found guilty – and that is a big if. And although you wouldn't expect them to say any different, all the noises I am getting from Manchester are very confident.
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"If it's going to cost Liverpool £5M but they could potentially get much more if City are found guilty... They will have effectively worked it out on an insurance basis.
"It might be a short-term pain, long-term gain scenario. But the costs have certainly got out of control. Other costs have gone through the roof too, such as utilities and administration at club level."
According to The Athletic, City has been found guilty on all but one of the 115 charges relating to breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations. No sanctions have yet been decided, with all possibilities remaining on the table, although City is expected to appeal.
An original version of this article was first published on October 2, 2025.