Manchester City's first match after its guilty verdict from the independent panel will be against Liverpool, setting up a fiery encounter at Anfield over the weekend
Enzo Maresca, Manager of Leicester City (L), shakes hands with Andoni Iraola, Manager of AFC Bournemouth (R), prior to the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Leicester City
Liverpool faces off with Manchester City this weekend(Image: (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images))
There won't be any extra measures put in place for Liverpool's clash with Manchester City this weekend, as reports claim that the club is treating the match like any other.
That's according to BBC Sport, which claims that the Reds view the meeting as "business as usual," despite potential flashpoints in the wake of Man City being given a guilty verdict on almost all charges brought against it by the Premier League.
The verdict broke over the international break, bringing an end to one phase of a long-standing legal challenge between the club and the division over alleged breaches of the rules that were under investigation in 2018 and charged against it in 2023.
Allegations from the Premier League included suggestions that Man City had not provided accurate financial information, with disguised owner funding from inflated sponsorship fees among the charges, as well as subsequent financial rule breaches and a failure to co-operate with the initial investigation process.
An independent panel was brought together in late 2024 to look over the case, and after almost two years of deliberation, it was revealed that Man City was found guilty on all but one account. Man City still denies any wrongdoing and has lodged a formal appeal that will need to be heard within the next 12 weeks, which could change the verdict.
While that situation plays out in the courts, Enzo Maresca and his team will still need to take to the pitch and face what is set to be some backlash from opposition fans across the country.
The first challenge is against Liverpool, who has been one of the closest challengers to Man City over the past decade or so, with an expectation that the Anfield crowd will let their frustrations be known on Sunday.
While that is likely to be a fiery atmosphere, the report from BBC Sport suggests that there will be no extra measures put in place by Liverpool, other than the regular meetings with the supporters and authorities over how to best manage the game.
General view inside the stadium ahead of the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on September 15, 2026 in Liverpool, Englan
No extra security measures will be taken for the heated match(Image: (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
It's added that Merseyside Police will have "an appropriate policing operation in place on the day," as preparations ramp up for such an encounter.
It remains to be seen exactly how intense the Anfield atmosphere will be, as Liverpool looks to come back from the international break with an important win against top opposition.
While the backdrop of the guilty verdict will play a part in the build-up before the game, Andoni Iraola and his side will be laser-focused on matters on the pitch, coming up against a Man City team that currently sits top of the league.
It'll be a true test of the Reds early this season, having largely faced opposition lower in the table, which hasn't allowed for quite as much space or transition opportunities.
It remains to be seen exactly how the Merseyside outfit will do, as an intriguing match awaits for both sides in a match that will have plenty of onlookers.