Reuters
A joke Arne Slot made regarding Manchester City's 115 charges has re-emerged after the club were found guilty by the Premier League.
The Citizens are expected to appeal the decision after releasing a strongly worded statement opposing the guilty verdict on Tuesday evening. All 115 charges relate to alleged Financial Fair Play breaches during a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018.
Liverpool missed out on the Premier League title to City in the 2013-14 season, and Jurgen Klopp has recently broken his silence on the matter. Meanwhile, his successor at Anfield's comment about the charges from 2024 has re-emerged.
Arne Slot Poked Fun at Man City's Charges
Arne Slot looks on during a Liverpool match
Slot, after overseeing his first win over Pep Guardiola's side at Anfield in December 2024, was quick to stress he was joking. It was all sparked by a comment made by Mohamed Salah following the 2-0 victory.
Salah was in contract negotiations with the Merseysiders at the time and claimed that it may have been his final time facing Man City at Anfield. "Honestly, it's in my head. Until now, this is the last City game I will play for Liverpool, so I was just going to enjoy it," the Egyptian said.
Steven Gerrard Luis Suarez Liverpool
Steven Gerrard Luis Suarez Liverpool
In response, his manager was quick to divert attention. One of the potential punishments now being discussed is relegation, and the Dutchman joked that Salah was already aware that was forthcoming, as he said:
"This is not the place for me to speak about Mo's contract. Maybe I've said too much already about the joke I've just made. So that will probably get the headlines, but it was a joke, I repeat it was a joke."
Jurgen Klopp Has Weighed in on the Man City Verdict
REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Another former Liverpool manager has had his say on City's 115 charges after the guilty verdict was announced. Klopp, now the Germany boss, was asked directly for his view on everything that's going on.
He replied: "Of course I've heard about that, but I haven't given it much thought. I can only wait and see. I have big respect for Pep Guardiola and City's style of football; they played fantastic football and were a top-class opponent for us.
Having finished second to City in two Premier League campaigns while he was at Anfield, Klopp previously joked that he'd be up for a parade if titles were stripped and handed to Liverpool.