Manchester City has been found guilty of breaches of financial rules and could face severe punishments, including Premier League expulsion, with Liverpool potentially benefiting from a fire sale
Antoine Semenyo is one of Manchester City's key players
Antoine Semenyo is one of Manchester City's key players(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester City could be hit with a series of devastating penalties should its challenge against the Premier League prove unsuccessful.
And if players begin to seek moves away, Liverpool could be poised to capitalize. The Premier League announced this week that City had been found guilty on most of the charges brought against the club. These allegations span a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018, with the commission determining that City employed "sham" sponsorship arrangements and concealed payments to hide more than $1 billion in owner funding, falsifying accounts to artificially boost revenues, among other violations.
City continues to assert its innocence and has formally submitted an appeal, arguing the judgment featured "material errors of law and fact."
Nevertheless, should the tribunal uphold the decision, the sanctions imposed at a subsequent hearing could be extraordinary. They might include points deductions and restrictions on transfers, through to complete removal from the Premier League.
Should City face severe punishment and either be compelled to conduct a major squad clearance or witness key players push for departures, the remainder of Europe's top clubs will be closely monitoring developments. In this theoretical situation, Andoni Iraola's Reds could be significantly strengthened by a trio of City stars — and Liverpool.com examines the possibilities.
Antoine Semenyo
This one's a straightforward decision. Admittedly, Liverpool has just signed Bradley Barcola to strengthen its attacking options. Nevertheless, the adaptable Antoine Semenyo flourished under Iraola at Bournemouth, and bringing the duo back together would likely make contract negotiations straightforward.
Semenyo played for Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth
Semenyo played for Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth(Image: Getty Images)
Semenyo could feature on the right flank and would serve as a genuine successor to Mohamed Salah. During his time with Iraola on the South Coast, he netted 31 goals across 99 matches before his move to City in January 2026.
Josko Gvardiol
Milos Kerkez has faced scrutiny at left-back. While Liverpool has shipped the third-fewest goals in the division this season, the Hungarian has fallen short of expectations with his displays. He endured difficulties in a 2-2 stalemate against Nottingham Forest, and despite his constant forward runs, he has yet to register a goal contribution this season. Consequently, the Reds could be among the many clubs expected to be interested in acquiring Josko Gvardiol.
The Croatian left-sided defender has cemented his reputation as one of Europe's most prolific defenders since his transfer to City from RB Leipzig in 2023. He has found the net 14 times in all competitions as a City player and features in the top 10 percent of full-backs or center-backs across Europe for total touches per match this term.
He could operate at left-back while also providing cover at left-center-back should the need arise. Few clubs across Europe would reject the opportunity to secure his signature, but the Reds could present him with a reunion alongside Dominik Szoboszlai, and it has been reported that the 24-year-old was a Liverpool supporter growing up.
Marc Guehi
Liverpool did invest considerably in signing Jeremy Jacquet this summer, while Ronald Araujo arrived from Barcelona on an initial loan deal, which can be made permanent. Giovanni Leoni remains out injured, but upon his return, the Reds' central-defensive options would appear robust. There is, however, a Virgil van Dijk-sized elephant in the room.
Van Dijk is 35 and approaching the twilight of a legendary career. While Jacquet could move across and Leoni or Araujo step into the starting XI, there could be an even more appropriate and seasoned alternative available following a hypothetical City clearance.
The Reds came within moments of securing Marc Guehi during the summer of 2025, but Crystal Palace withdrew from negotiations, and he subsequently joined City in January. Capable of operating as a left-sided center-back, this transfer saga could yet be justified, and Guehi might finally make Anfield his home should he depart the Etihad.
For the time being, he'd line up directly alongside Dutch colossus Van Dijk, but when the Reds captain decides to retire or depart for a farewell campaign elsewhere, Guehi could transition to the left with Jacquet partnering him, while Araujo and Leoni remain as backup options.