Manchester City face massive potential punishment following their charges, and Liverpool could swoop for some of their best players for cut-price fees should they get relegated or expelled
Manchester City could be forced to move on from stars like Erling Haaland in the wake of their charges
Manchester City could be forced to move on from stars like Erling Haaland in the wake of their charges(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester City faces unprecedented discipline from the Premier League - and Liverpool could take advantage.
The road to this point has been a long, drawn-out process, following an initial investigation into City’s financial reporting in 2018, with the case covering 2009 to 2018. After five years of investigation, Man City was charged by the Premier League with 115 offenses, which broadly covered alleged breaches including failing to report accurate financial data, possible breaches of financial rules, and failure to co-operate in the investigation process.
An independent panel reviewed the case, and it took a few years to reach this point, where Man City has been found guilty of all but one of the charges levied by the Premier League. The club will appeal the decision and still denies any wrongdoing, which could drag the process out further.
City faces a range of potential sanctions, from substantial fines and heavy points deductions to potential relegation or expulsion from the Premier League. With the club’s future uncertain and a relegation on the table, rivals have reportedly begun inquiring about the possibility of signing top players for cut-price fees.
Erling Haaland is obviously the crown jewel, but Liverpool already possesses a star striker in Alexander Isak.
Here are three players the Reds could - and perhaps, should - pursue should City be forced to sell:
Antoine Semenyo would solve Liverpool's right-wing productivity issue in the wake of Mohamed Salah's departure
Antoine Semenyo would solve Liverpool's right-wing productivity issue in the wake of Mohamed Salah's departure(Image: Getty Images)
Antoine Semenyo
Arguably, the most obvious name that sticks out is Antoine Semenyo. Liverpool has long tracked Semenyo and was heavily linked with him before his move to City, and Andoni Iraola already knows exactly how to get the best out of him, having coached him previously at Bournemouth.
Following Mohamed Salah's departure, Liverpool spent heavily on wide talent in the form of Bradley Barcola, but the team is still missing elite, physical right-wing depth. Semenyo's explosive pace, powerful ball-carrying, and directness make him a tailor-made fit for Iraola’s fast-paced counter-pressing system.
Josko Gvardiol would slot into the Liverpool's defense perfectly
Josko Gvardiol would slot into the Liverpool's defense perfectly(Image: Getty Images)
Josko Gvardiol
Liverpool has been searching for elite left-sided defensive reinforcements for some time. Milos Kerkez has flashed potential but has also been inconsistent, while Gvardiol is one of the world's premier hybrid defenders. He can play seamlessly as a progressive left-back or even fill in as a left-sided center-back to eventually succeed Virgil van Dijk.
Gvardiol's elite ball-carrying metrics, aerial dominance, and physical resilience perfectly suit a high-line, aggressive pressing scheme. He would be a dream signing to bring to Anfield.
Ayyoub Bouaddi signed for Manchester City from Lille in the summer
Ayyoub Bouaddi signed for Manchester City from Lille in the summer(Image: Getty Images)
Ayyoub Bouaddi
Given he signed in the summer for $117 million following his impressive World Cup showing, Ayyoub Bouaddi would be one of the more difficult signings to pull off. But securing a long-term, elite No. 6 is one of Liverpool's top priorities.
The young Moroccan midfielder is widely renowned as a generational, press-resistant anchoring talent. Even at just 18 years of age, Bouaddi boasts elite ball retention, exceptional progressive passing accuracy, and remarkable defensive recovery metrics. Bouaddi would provide the exact long-term defensive solidity and metronomic quality that Liverpool has been chasing to protect the backline.