Manchester City have appealed after being found guilty of financial breaches but if this fails and they are sanctioned, Liverpool could stand to benefit
Andoni Iraola, Manager of AFC Bournemouth, and Antoine Semenyo embrace as they celebrate the team 2-1 victory after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola could be in for a reunion at Liverpool if things go pear-shaped for Manchester City(Image: Getty)
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Manchester City could face an array of catastrophic punishments should their appeal against financial rule breaches fail. But if players do start to jump ship, Liverpool could be there with open arms.
The Premier League confirmed this week that City had been found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges they faced. These charges cover a nine-season period between 2009 and 2018 and the commission ruled that City utilised "sham" sponsorship deals and illicit payments to conceal over £900million in owner funding, misstating accounts to artificially inflate revenues, among other wrongdoings.
City maintain their innocence and have officially lodged an appeal, claiming the verdict contained "material errors of law and fact." However, should the tribunal uphold the ruling, the potential sanctions determined in a separate hearing could be unprecedented. They could range from points deductions and transfer bans to outright expulsion from the Premier League.
Should City be penalised heavily and either forced into a squad fire sale or see stars demand an exit, the rest of European football will be on high alert. In this hypothetical scenario, Andoni Iraola's Reds could be transformed by a trio of City stars - and the ECHOtakes a look.
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Antoine Semenyo
This one's a no-brainer. Yes, Liverpool have just spent £123million on Bradley Barcola to reinforce their attack. Still, the versatile Antoine Semenyo was revitalised by Iraola at Bournemouth and reuniting the pair would probably be a breeze where personal terms are concerned.
Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Exeter City
Semenyo would surely want to reunite with Iraola at Anfield(Image: Getty)
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Semenyo could operate off the right and would be a bona fide replacement for Mohamed Salah. Under Iraola on the South Coast, he scored 31 goals in 99 appearances before joining City in January 2026.
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Josko Gvardiol
Milos Kerkez has been called into question this campaign at left-back. Whilst Liverpool have conceded the third-fewest goals in the top-flight, the Hungarian has left a lot to be desired with his performances.
Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Burnley at Etihad Stadium
Gvardiol could slot in at left-back(Image: Getty)
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He struggled in a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest and considering his relentless overlapping, he is yet to contribute to a goal this season. Therefore, the Reds could be one of the presumed plethora of suitors who'd be keen on signing Josko Gvardiol.
The Croatian left-sided defender has established himself as one of Europe's most goal-hungry defenders since joining City from RB Leipzig in 2023. He has scored 14 times in all competitions as a City player and ranks in the top 10 per cent of full-backs or centre-backs in Europe for total touches per match this term.
He could slot in at left-back but also cover at left-centre-half if he is ever needed there. Few teams in Europe would turn down the chance to sign him up, but the Reds could offer him a reunion with Dominik Szoboszlai and it has been reported that the 24-year-old grew up a Liverpool fan.
Marc Guehi
Liverpool did spend relatively heavily on £60m man Jeremy Jacquet this summer and Ronald Araujo arrived from Barcelona on an initial loan. If the club wants to make that permanent, they can for £47m.
Marc Guehi of Manchester City gives a thumbs up during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers
Guehi could finally become a Red(Image: Getty)
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Giovanni Leoni is also sidelined, but when he returns, the Reds' central-defensive depth would look strong. There is, however, a Virgil van Dijk-sized elephant in the room.
Van Dijk is 35 and reaching the end of a historic career. Whilst Jacquet could shift across and Leoni or Araujo come into the starting XI, there could be an even more suitable and experienced option waiting after a hypothetical City clearance.
The Reds were moments away from signing Marc Guehi in the summer of 2025 but Crystal Palace pulled the plug and he joined City in January. Capable of playing as a left-sided centre-half, this saga could be vindicated and Guehi could finally call Anfield home should he flee the Etihad.
For now, he'd play right next to Dutch destroyer Van Dijk, but when the Reds skipper decides to call it quits or head off for a swansong season elsewhere, Guehi could shift over to the left and Jacquet can partner him, with Araujo and Leoni waiting in the wings.
Liverpool's dream XI if Manchester City are forced to sell stars: Alisson; Frimpong, Guehi, Van Dijk, Gvardiol; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Semenyo, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak.