Man City looks set to be in for a frosty Anfield reception, but Liverpool fans have been warned about reactions after their opponents were found guilty of Premier League charges
Liverpool fans have been warned that their reaction against Man City could work against them
Liverpool fans have been warned that their reaction against Man City could work against them(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool fans have been warned their reaction to Manchester City could end up working against them when the two sides meet on Sunday.
The Reds will host City in the Etihad club’s first outing since it was found guilty of the majority of the 115 charges brought against it by the Premier League. City has launched an appeal against the findings of the independent commission, but has faced calls to be expelled from the league and for its titles to be stripped.
Few clubs will feel more hard done by than Liverpool, with the Reds having missed out on the 2013/14 title, which fell during the nine-year period in which City has been found to have committed its breaches, while Jurgen Klopp’s team went on to finish second to Pep Guardiola’s side by a single point in 2018/19 and 2021/22.
The visit of City looks set to add some spice to proceedings on Sunday, with Gary Neville among those predicting that the visitors will be in for a rough ride.
"If they [Man City] want an understanding of how angry it is going to be, Anfield will tell them next Sunday, like you would never believe,” Neville said on the Stick to Football podcast.
"I suspect there will be banners, chanting, and a reception like you have never seen. The players and Maresca will take the brunt of it. It will be a brutal day."
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Man City players are already said to be 'fearing relegation' after the club was found guilty of 114 financial charges
Man City players are already said to be 'fearing relegation' after the club was found guilty of 114 financial charges(Image: Getty Images)
Former Bolton and West Ham boss Sam Allardyce, though, feels that any angry reaction from Liverpool fans to City could actually end up working against the Reds.
"Any volatile reaction by the crowd should be a spur on. It shouldn't be a negative for them; it should be more like a 'we'll show you,'" Allardyce said on the latest edition of Footy Accumulators No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, in partnership with BOYLE Sports.
"The only negative would be if your own fans boo you, and the only way that's going to happen is if you're not delivering and not performing enough; that's when you get booed.
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"The opposition fans booing you or shouting at you is a spur on. It's a motivation to feel that when you're competing against your opposition on their patch. It won't stop (all season)."
Both sides will be defending their unbeaten starts to the season, with City having won all five of its league games so far to sit top of the table, while Liverpool sits six points behind, having drawn three of its games.
“I think it's a big game and I think everyone is expecting to play, to watch, to be part of that game,” Reds boss Iraola told beIN Sports this week.
“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 [fans] will be looking to help the team.”