Manchester City travel to Anfield on Sunday to face Liverpool in the wake of the verdict by an independent panel declaring the club guilty of 114 breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations.
Can Man City make a huge statement of intent at Anfield on Sunday?More Videos
Club football returns for the Blues after 21 days away from the pitch, during which City become the centre of media attention following the long-awaited verdict of the notorious legal proceedings between Manchester City and the Premier League, which has since sent shockwaves around the footballing world.
Away from legal affairs, the last outing for City saw them run out 5-3 victors against Sunderland in an eight-goal thriller at the Etihad Stadium, narrowly maintaining their perfect league record despite the best efforts of hat-trick hero Brian Brobbey.
The hosts got off to a flying start as club record recruit Enzo Fernandez opened his sky blue account in style, sneaking home an intelligent free kick past Robin Roefs at the near post.
A few minutes later, however, the Black Cats restored parity as Brobbey latched on to a pass from Enzo Le Fee and slotted home calmly past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Subsequently, the ever-creative Rayan Cherki drilled City back in front before the seemingly unstoppable force of Brobbey defied the hosts yet again, guiding a Thomas Meunier cross into an empty net.
Just before the interval, Antoine Semenyo got off the mark for the season after chaos in the Sunderland penalty area, where the ball fell at the feet of the Ghanaian, who unleashed an excellent strike into the bottom corner.
With 57 minutes on the clock, Marseca’s side finally saw daylight for the first time in this enthralling tie after a defensive calamity from the visitors enabled Semenyo to sweep home his second of the afternoon.
Once again, however, the relentlessness of Brobbey handed Sunderland a lifeline, thumping home at close range into a gaping Manchester City net, making the Blues' lead look all the more precarious.
With just nine minutes left of normal time to play, Haaland finally put the result of this bewildering game beyond doubt, as Josko Gvardiol teed up the Norwegian to slot the ball past Roefs.
That chaotic triumph saw City build some room at the summit of the division after Mikel Arteta's Arsenal suffered a 3-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion in their last fixture, which left the Blues three points clear heading into the international break.
Now though, in the midst of the ongoing cacophony of off-the-pitch noise, those of a Manchester City persuasion must attempt to compartmentalise ahead of a seismic clash against Liverpool this Sunday.
Andoni Iraola's side come in to this fixture off the back of a 1-0 win on the road over Bournemouth, with Alexander Isak's 57th minute strike proving decisive.
In the Premier League, the Reds have accumulated nine points of a possible 15 so far this term, as they sit sixth in the table with two wins and three draws in the opening five games this term.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of this mammoth clash against Liverpool on Sunday!
Match Details
Manchester City travel to Merseyside to face off against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday 11 October, with kick-off slated for 16:30 UK.
Match Officials
The Premier League have confirmed that Chris Kavanagh will oversee proceedings on Sunday afternoon, who last officiated Manchester City in April when the Blues cruised to a 3-0 victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The 41-year-old has refereed matches involving City on 17 previous occasions, 11 of which have resulted in victory for the residents of the Etihad Stadium, whilst three have ended in a stalemate and the remaining three in defeat.
In his professional officiating career, the Blues have been on the receiving end of 30 yellow cards, whilst Kavanagh has also awarded City four penalties across his 17 games involving the club.
Check out the full list of match officials below!
Chris Kavanagh is the referee appointed to Manchester City's clash against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, the Premier League have confirmed.cityxtra.co.ukChris Kavanagh is the referee appointed to Manchester City's clash against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, the Premier League have confirmed.
Match Officials: Chris Kavanagh to referee Liverpool vs Man City (Premier League)
Team News
For the hosts, Giovanni Leoni is unavailable as the Italian continues to recover from an anterior-cruciate ligament tear, whilst defensive compatriot Conor Bradley also remains absent through a knee injury which has seen him ruled out since January.
Jeremy Jacquet is also a doubt for Sunday's clash as the 21-year-old sat out France's 4-1 UEFA Nations League win over Belgium last week with a hamstring issue. Federico Chiesa remains absent owing to a back injury the winger picked up in August.
In addition, a man who has started the season in fine form for the Reds - Cody Gakpo - will miss this Sunday's tie after being forced off after 17 minutes with a hamstring problem against Serbia.
Hugo Ekitike is not an option for Iraola as the former Eintracht Frankfurt forward nurses an Achilles tendon injury that has rendered the 24-year-old out of action since April.
Finally, the fitness of Alexander Isak is uncertain after the striker picked up a thigh injury on international duty for Sweden.
For City, Phil Foden remains suspended after the number 47 received his marching orders for violent conduct against Bruno Fernandes in the Manchester derby, with the Englishman receiving a three-game ban as a result.
In the medical room, both Antoine Semenyo and Nico O'Reilly are potential doubts for the Blues' trip to Anfield, as the prior withdrew from selection for the Ghana squad as a consequence of an ankle problem, whilst O'Reilly left the England camp early owing to a muscular issue.
Press Conference quotes
Enzo Maresca will preview the trip to Anfield in front of the press on Friday, though the time for the conference is yet to be confirmed by Manchester City's official channels.
Refresh for updates.
Head to Head
In the last encounter between these two sides, Manchester City produced a five-star display in the FA Cup, defeating Arne Slot's side by four goals to nil at the Etihad Stadium as Haaland netted his 12th hat-trick in sky blue and James Trafford prevented a Liverpool reprieve, denying Mohamed Salah from twelve yards.
Historically, Manchester City have faced Liverpool 201 times across competitions - winning 53, drawing 53, and losing 95.
Statistics
This will be the first Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Manchester City since March 2015 with neither Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola in the dugout.
The away side has won two of the last three Premier League games between the clubs, as many as the previous 32 beforehand. The only time there have been two consecutive away wins in this Premier League fixture was in the 2002-03 campaign.
Since the goalless draw in October 2018, the 15 subsequent Premier League meetings between the sides have averaged 3.1 goals per game.
All three of Antoine Semenyo's league goals against Liverpool have come at Anfield. He only has more strikes in the competition versus Fulham (four).
How to Watch
For viewers in the United Kingdom, the match will be available to stream on Sky Sports from 16:30 BST.
For those in the United States, action gets underway on NBC and FuboTV from 11:30 EDT.
Check out the full global TV listings HERE!
City Xtra will have full live coverage available on our X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram channels throughout matchday, with content also provided on cityxtra.co.uk!