Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has given his thoughts ahead of his side's return to action against Manchester City, with the Etihad club set for a frosty reception at Anfield
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Andoni Iraola manager of Liverpool applauds the fans after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Fulham at Anfield on September 12, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has given his thoughts ahead of Liverpool's game against Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has said he hopes his Liverpool side can “hurt” Manchester City this weekend in the game that everyone will have their eyes on.
The Reds return to action on Sunday as they host Enzo Maresca’s side at Anfield amid the backdrop of the scandal surrounding City. The club has been found guilty of all the charges against it related to serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.
Furthermore, City has also been found guilty of the majority of charges relating to its failure to comply with the investigation into the period spanning 2009 to 2018, with the Premier League releasing a damning statement last week accusing the club of arranging “sham” contracts.
City continues to protest its innocence and has launched an appeal, but the verdict has drawn an angry response from many rival fans and pundits.
No sanctions have yet been handed down to the club, but there have been calls for it to be expelled from the Premier League, while the prospect of titles being stripped has also been touted.
City’s players will have to put the off-field problems to one side as they return to action this weekend against Liverpool. Iraola has previewed the game in a new interview with beIN Sports, with the Reds boss focusing on matters on the pitch for now.
Manchester City FC players
Manchester City looks set for a frosty reception at Anfield(Image: Getty Images)
“We've been unbeaten but they've won all of them, so it makes a big difference in their side,” Iraola said (as per LiverpoolFC.com).
“I think we need to be very, very good if we want to beat City because they've been especially offensively scoring a lot of goals lately. We know the names that are very dangerous.
“But I think also we've shown good defensive improvements lately and I hope we can defend the threats that they have and also hurt them on the other side.”
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City is likely to face a frosty reception from the Anfield crowd, with Liverpool among the clubs to have missed out on a title during the nine-year period in which its rival is found to have breached financial rules.
Gary Neville has predicted it will be “brutal” for the visitors, and Iraola is expecting the home crowd to play its part.
“I think it's a big game and I think everyone is expecting to play, to watch, to be part of that game,” the Liverpool boss said.
“I think we are playing against the team that is right now at the top of the league, so definitely it's an important game for us. We know we will have to be at our best and also I know that the people will be looking to help the team.”