Anfield's PA system appeared to have the final say after Liverpool's defeat to Manchester City with an interesting song choice
Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Enzo Fernandez of Manchester City thank the fans as they celebrate at full-time in the Premier League 2026/27 match at Anfield
Manchester City maintained their winning start to the Premier League season with a victory over Liverpool(Image: Photo by Isaac Parkin/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
Anfield's PA system arguably got the last word after Sunday's Premier League clash between Liverpool and Manchester City, despite the Reds falling to a disappointing defeat.
Both the players and the crowd were up for it at kickoff on Sunday afternoon. The game was shrouded in controversy following confirmation during the international break that an independent commission had found City guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules over a nine-season period.
The Manchester club was also found guilty of the majority of charges relating to its failure to cooperate with the investigation. While the verdict is still subject to an appeal, that hasn't stopped rivals from making their feelings on the matter crystal clear.
Andoni Iraola 's men were ultimately undone on the day by a combination of poor refereeing and a lack of a clinical edge in front of goal. Liverpool's two most prolific attackers this season, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, are sidelined due to injury, and none of Lewis Koumas, Bradley Barcola, Victor Munoz or Florian Wirtz were able to take their chances.
In the second half, despite Liverpool starting on top, the Reds were cruelly undone by a second yellow card for Ryan Gravenberch. It was extremely unfortunate for the midfielder, who, up until that point, had been having a good game, and both bookings were contentious.
It ultimately proved to be the decisive moment in the game as City almost immediately broke the deadlock courtesy of a strike from Erling Haaland. City continued to make the extra man count as Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki added a second and third late on, ensuring the club maintained its 100 percent start to the season.
After chants of "cheats" and banners criticizing the Manchester club were seen and heard around the ground before and during the game, Anfield's PA system seemingly aimed one final dig as the players made their way off the pitch. Whether purely coincidental or intentional, "Tell Me Lies" by Fleetwood Mac was the song of choice.
What the result means in the long term remains to be seen. Of course, depending on the outcome of the appeal, City could be subject to severe sanctions before the season concludes, potentially having significant implications on the title race.
In the meantime, Liverpool and the rest of the Premier League have to tick along as normal, despite how bizarre the circumstances are. That starts with a visit to LASK in the Champions League midweek, with Iraola's men no doubt determined to put the disappointing result behind them.
They will then face the difficult test of Brentford away next weekend. Given they will be without Gravenberch due to suspension, it will be hoped Dominik Szoboszlai overcomes the hamstring issue that kept him out of the City clash to slot back into the team.
The extent of Isak and Gakpo's injuries is also unclear, but the sooner they return to fitness, the better. With Barcola among the attacking players yet to get up and running, lacking a ruthless finisher in front of goal could prove costly in the coming weeks.