Liverpool fans and Jurgen Klopp will be among those intrigued to see what happens next to Manchester City, with the club having been found guilty of almost all of its 115 charges
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - SEPTEMBER 24: Head Coach Juergen Klopp of Germany reacts after the game after the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Netherlands and Germany at on September 24, 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp(Image: Getty Images)
Three-and-a-half years later, the verdict everyone has been waiting for has finally arrived.
Having had 115 charges handed down to it back in February 2023, Manchester City has been dealt its verdict on the alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations — guilty, on all but one of those charges.
The news sent shockwaves throughout not just the English soccer system but around the world, with the implications of the independent hearing’s findings having the potential for massive repercussions. Of course, it would be naive to think that the matter is done and dusted now, and City is expected to appeal, which will delay any potential sanctions.
Nevertheless, this is seen as a momentous occasion for supporters of rival teams. Already, many are talking up the possibility of titles being redistributed — not least Liverpool fans.
And it’s not just the club’s supporters who could be planning a party - Jurgen Klopp might well want to join them as well.
The fact that the legendary Liverpool boss never got the chance to lift a league title in front of supporters still feels deeply unfair, and few would be more deserving of the opportunity should it arise. That doesn’t necessarily right any wrongs of the past, though.
Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp speaks as he makes his final farewell to fans after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 19, 2024. Jurgen Klopp was given a heartfelt reception by home fans at Anfield as he walked out for his final match as Liverpool manager on Sunday. Klopp, who arrived at the club in October 2015, won seven major trophies at Liverpool, including the club's first league title for 30 years and the 2019 Champions League. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / 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. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Jurgen Klopp never got the chance to celebrate a title in front of Liverpool's fans(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Klopp left Anfield still not knowing the outcome of the case against City. Even now, with the club having been found guilty, we still don’t know what it exactly means for City or any of its rivals.
"Everybody knows about the 115 charges, but I have no clue what that means. I only know the number,” Klopp said before his final game in charge of Liverpool in 2024.
"No matter what has transpired at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola is the best manager in the world — and that is truly significant. If you put any other manager in that club, they don't win the league four times in a row. That's down to him and his team.
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"Does that mean City can do whatever it wants? No. But I don't know what it did — if it did anything — and I'm not here to say they have.
"We will see. Of course, I would like to know (if City is guilty) one day. Everyone wants to know. But I will be somewhere else. The quality of Pep makes the difference so I don't worry about these things. We will see. It's not my problem and I am fine with what we have and what we've achieved."
And that’s the problem. Even if Liverpool’s trophy cabinet ends up being added to, there will be something of a hollow feel to any extra titles.
Steven Gerrard working as a pundit
Steven Gerrard missed out on a Premier League title in 2014 when Liverpool finished two points behind City(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Klopp is now in charge of Germany. Steven Gerrard last played a game for Liverpool 11 years ago. They deserve to celebrate their accomplishments on the grandest of stages, not years down the road after a ruling against another team.
And as Klopp points out, there will always be an element of the unknown as to how much City benefited on the pitch from any alleged financial breaches off it. You can’t argue against Guardiola being the best manager of his generation, and no doubt his German counterpart would feel a little embarrassed taking any titles away from him on a technicality.
We will, of course, have to wait for any potential punishments handed down to City, if any are at all, after an appeal, but at this point, it does feel as though it might have lost a lot of meaning for Liverpool.