Liverpool fans delivered a brutal message to Manchester City during Sunday's Premier League clash at Anfield following the recent guilty verdict over the club's financial breaches
Liverpool fans hold up banners commenting on the guilty Manchester City financial verdict and 114 charges during the Premier League match
Liverpool fans hold up banners commenting on the guilty Manchester City financial verdict and 114 charges during the Premier League match(Image: Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Liverpool fans made sure their point was heard with a brutal message aimed at Manchester City players in the closing stages of the Premier League clash at Anfield.
The match was, unsurprisingly, overshadowed by matters off the pitch in light of recent developments regarding the 115 charges lodged against the Manchester club. During the international break, the Premier League confirmed an independent commission had found City guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of the league's financial rules over a nine-season period.
The club was also found guilty of the majority of charges relating to its failure to cooperate with the league's investigation. The verdict is, of course, subject to an appeal, but the decision vindicated a sentiment long held by those of a non-City persuasion since the investigation was first opened eight years ago.
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Liverpool was much the better side at Anfield and failed to capitalize on a flurry of opportunities at the start of the second half. The game was then turned on its head a little after the hour mark when Ryan Gravenberch was sent off after receiving two very soft yellow cards.
The refereeing will rightly be a talking point, especially as City went on to score three goals to maintain its winning start to the Premier League season.
But Liverpool fans made sure to voice their feelings as the clock ticked over into added time. Echoes of "cheats" reverberated around Anfield with every City touch in the closing stages.
"That is brutal," pundit Gary Neville noted on Sky Sports commentary. "It is one of the worst things you can be called.
Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool walks off the pitch after being sent off for a second yellow card offence during the Premier League match against Manchester City
Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool walks off the pitch after being sent off for a second yellow card offence during the Premier League match against Manchester City(Image: Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"It is something that will carry on across the country until a punishment is decided."
It's fair to say such sentiment will follow Enzo Maresca's side throughout the rest of the season, especially as the outcome remains up in the air. City leads the way at the top of the Premier League table and has extended its lead over chasers Arsenal, but potential punishments and sanctions loom.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will dust itself off and go again midweek in the Champions League. It remains to be seen whether the injured trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo will return to fitness.
Andoni Iraola could certainly do with Szoboszlai recovering in time for next week's away trip to Brentford, not least because Gravenberch will now have to serve a one-game suspension.