REUTERS/Phil Noble
All eyes will be on Manchester City this weekend as they play their first match since being found guilty of all 115 charges related to serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.
Awaiting Enzo Maresca and his players is a daunting trip to Liverpool’s Anfield, arguably the toughest away ground in the top flight.
Six points currently separate the two sides in the table. City are top after winning all five of their opening fixtures, while Liverpool also remain unbeaten but have only secured two wins so far.
City may have been the narrow favourites to win this fixture before the international break, but the club’s recent guilty verdict means there’s nothing to separate them in the eyes of the bookmakers.
Key Events Timeline
February 2023 — Premier League charged Manchester City with 115 financial breaches, referring them to an independent commission.
September 2024 — Confidential hearing opened at London's International Dispute Resolution Centre before a three-person commission.
December 2024 — The 12-week hearing concluded, leaving the commission to deliberate its verdict.
September 2026 — Premier League confirmed City guilty of serious financial breaches, with 114 charges reportedly proven.
October 2026 — City lodged a comprehensive appeal, calling the commission's opinion unsafe and materially flawed.
'Brutal Day' in Store for Man City at Anfield
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Liverpool fans, however, will have a huge role to play. The famously passionate Anfield faithful are expected to make it a “brutal day” for everyone connected to City - from the players, to the coaching staff, to the travelling supporters.
That’s the verdict of former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, who said on The Overlap podcast: "If they want an understanding of how angry the game is going to be, then Anfield will tell them. Like you would never believe.
Neville’s Sky Sports colleague, Jamie Carragher, adds: “There’s a lot of talk of Manchester City going to Anfield and there’s going to be this atmosphere. What Liverpool fans are going to be chanting, they’re going to have banners.”
Carragher wonders if Man City will subsequently adopt an “us against the world” mentality, with fans potentially bringing their own banner to Anfield.
Former City boss Stuart Peace is in agreement, commenting on The Overlap Fan Debate: “If you’re Manchester City manager and say it’s us against the world, that mentality, and see where that takes you. The opposition, they’ll be rolling their sleeves up.
"As you say, the atmosphere in the stadiums is going to be red hot. It’s unbelievable it happens to be [Manchester City vs] Liverpool this weekend, you know what I mean? Incredible. But it’s going to be electric.
“So, it’s going to stimulate everybody else against City, and it’s got to stimulate City against everyone else."
Maresca Will Address City's Guilty Verdict With Players
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
It’s reported that Maresca is planning on addressing Man City’s guilty verdict in a meeting with his players before Sunday’s clash against Liverpool.
City’s players will be asked to tune out the noise and focus on the task in hand, with the club convinced of their innocence after submitting an official appeal last week.
But how City’s players cope when met with a cauldron of hostile noise, chants and banners this weekend remains to be seen.
Man City corner flag
Man City corner flag
In terms of security, Merseyside Police have said there will be an appropriate policing operation in place on the day, per Reuters.
How Liverpool fans treat City may provide a glimpse into what’s in store for the club’s players over the coming months.
City face Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, Brentford, Newcastle United and Everton away from home in the league before the turn of the New Year.