Liverpool will host Manchester City at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Andoni Iraola, Head Coach of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on October 08, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has been sent a message(Image: Nikki Dyer, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Liverpool will be looking to extend their unbeaten record when the Premier League resumes on Sunday with a blockbuster clash against Manchester City at Anfield. The three-week international break was dominated by news that the Cityzens had been found guilty of financial misconduct.
The debate has been fierce as columnists, pundits and supporters have argued over what punishment City should face. Former Red Jamie Carragher, however, believes that should the Blues face severe consequences from the governing body, it could indirectly put pressure on Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola.
Elsewhere in today's news, former Liverpool manager Arne Slot has finally secured a new role four months after being relieved of his duties at Anfield.
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Iraola delivered message
Carragher believes pressure will mount on Andoni Iraola in the wake of the City verdict. The Etihad outfit were found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations between 2009 and 2018 - with speculation rife that they could even face relegation as a consequence.
City maintain their innocence, have lodged an appeal and remain confident of full exoneration. Carragher is convinced that Enzo Maresca's side will be relegated, and that the fallout will place the likes of Iraola, Michael Carrick at Manchester United and Xabi Alonso at Chelsea under significant pressure to deliver without City competing in the top flight.
"City have been a valid excuse for narrowly losing titles and trophies. For others, they have been a convenient one," he wrote in his column for The Telegraph.
Jamie Carragher speaking
Jamie Carragher has spoken on City's charges(Image: YouTube/The Overlap)
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"For Liverpool, Chelsea and United, the timescale to become title challengers changes the moment City hear the outcome of their disciplinary hearing. The power shift will be instant and dramatic.
"We are not in a world in which Iraola can talk about long-term projects. Once the two immediate obstacles to another Liverpool title in the near future are reduced to one, there will be an expectation for his side to make haste."
Liverpool are amongst the clubs most significantly affected by the verdict, having finished as runners-up behind the Blues on three occasions in recent years. Carragher urged the Anfield outfit to channel that "grievance as a source of motivation".
Arne Slot's new job
Slot has secured his first position since being dismissed by the Reds. The Dutchman was shown the door at the conclusion of last season following a deeply disappointing defence of their title.
The Premier League champion was subsequently linked with the Netherlands national team vacancy before making clear his immediate future lies in club management. In the interim, Slot has been appointed to UEFA's Technical Observer Group.
Arne Slot looks on
Arne Slot is set for his next job after being sacked by Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images))
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UEFA says the group will monitor the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League with "stats and video assistance, enabling them to deliver detailed reports on the latest developments in coaching, which are shared among the footballing community to give a dynamic account of the state of the game."
On Slot's addition to the group, European football's governing body added: "Slot made his name at Feyenoord, reaching the UEFA Conference League final in 2022 and winning an Eredivisie title and Dutch Cup in the following two campaigns.
"He joined Liverpool in 2024 and immediately guided the club to their second Premier League trophy in five years before departing Anfield this summer."