Liverpool hosts Manchester City in the first game since the Etihad club's guilty verdict, with Erling Haaland becoming the first of the club's players to speak out on the matter
Erling Haaland speaking to Sky Sports
Erling Haaland has sent a message to Manchester City's fans ahead of facing Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Erling Haaland has urged Manchester City’s fans to stick together as he becomes the first of the club’s players to speak out after it was found guilty of the majority of the Premier League’s charges against it.
Liverpool will host City on Sunday in the first game involving the Etihad club since it was confirmed that an independent commission has found it guilty of all the charges against it related to serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.
City and its owners maintain their innocence and have launched an appeal, but the club now faces calls for it to be stripped of its titles and expelled from the league.
With that backdrop, City’s players and fans have been told to expect a “brutal” reception at Anfield, with Liverpool among the sides that missed out on a title during the nine-year period at the center of the investigation.
Haaland, though, doesn’t appear to be too worried, with the City striker urging the club’s supporters to stick with the side.
“Yeah, I think they’re going to have a good time,” Haaland told Sky Sports when asked for a message to City fans heading to Liverpool.
“We have to stick together, we have to stay with each other and we have to stay positive.
Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates his goal to make it 5-3 with teammates during the Premier League match Manchester City vs Sunderland
Erling Haaland has urged Manchester City's fans to stick by the club(Image: Getty)
“No matter what happens in life, we always have to have a smile, so we have to stay positive, look ahead and try to win football games, and then try to enjoy the situation and the game.
“As I said, we have to stick together, and we have to spread the love to each other. So yeah, stick together and enjoy the ride and smile.”
Haaland added, "I care a lot about the city, I have to say. I care a lot about the fans because I'm a fan myself, and I feel with them as well."
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Liverpool has built a major rivalry with City over the years, with Jurgen Klopp’s side having regularly been the closest challenger to Pep Guardiola’s team, having finished just a point behind it in both the 2018/19 and 2021/22 seasons.
The findings of the investigation into City now look set to add more spice to the occasion, but Haaland is still looking forward to it.
"It's always special to play against Liverpool,” the Norwegian said. “Especially with Pep and Klopp. I remember sitting in Salzburg and Dortmund and watching the games, how much they pushed each other. It's always special games there.
"I won there, I drew there, I lost. So it's always special, and every Premier League game is different, and every game against Liverpool is always special."