Liverpool fans greeted Manchester Cityâs arrival at Anfield with an outpouring of protest following the clubâs recent guilty verdict on 114 breaches of Premier League financial regulations. The match, the first for City since the ruling, was met with banners, chants and a street market of antiâCity merchandise that filled the area around the stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The atmosphere had begun to build a day earlier, as City supporters travelled to Merseyside expecting hostility. The tension was mirrored by rival fans, with Manchester United supporters at Old Trafford launching a âticking clockâ banner that counted 51 years since Cityâs last major trophy, effectively erasing all titles won under the Abu Dhabi ownership. The United fanzine âUnited We Standâ replaced Cityâs trophies with asterisks, underscoring the broader backlash against the clubâs alleged cheating.
At Anfield, the City team bus slipped past the majority of Liverpool supporters by using a backâdoor entrance, a precaution after the 2018 incident when Cityâs bus was attacked and damaged. Police ensured that both teamsâ buses arrived almost simultaneously from different directions, preventing any escalation. Inside the ground, City players were met with a barrage of signs and banners that referenced Oasis lyrics and other mocking slogans, while fans carried inflatable bananas in a nod to the clubâs lowerâleague roots.
The protest was amplified by social media, with Liverpool fans posting selfies and chants, and even Liam Gallagher tweeting from the stadium to show his support for the home side. The overall mood was one of defiance, with fans making it clear that the clubâs financial misconduct would not be forgotten.
The Premier Leagueâs sanctions could include relegation, a severe penalty that would hit Cityâs supporters hard. As the season progresses, the club will need to navigate the fallout from the ruling while preparing for their next fixtures, while Liverpool fans remain determined to keep the message of dissent alive.