Manchester City will enter Anfield on Sunday with a storm of hostility and uncertainty swirling around them, after an independent commission found the club guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules between 2009‑10 and 2017‑18. The verdict, which City is appealing, has left the club at the top of the table but under the shadow of potential sanctions that could range from points deductions to relegation, raising questions about the value of the season’s results.
The clash with Liverpool is already set to be a battleground. The two clubs have been locked in a fierce domestic rivalry for more than a decade, with Liverpool fans feeling that the titles won by City in 2013‑14, 2018‑19 and 2021‑22 were unfairly earned through financial excess. Liverpool supporters believe they would have taken those trophies if not for City’s alleged “sham” deals that inflated revenue by over £900 million. City’s new head coach, Enzo Maresca, has defended the club’s innocence, arguing that the commission’s ruling contains “clear material errors” in law, principle and fact.
Maresca, who stepped into the role after taking over from Pep Guardiola, said at a pre‑match briefing that his focus would be on the game itself, despite the hostile environment he expects at Anfield. “We need to be ready, the focus needs to be on the game, but we know the environment at Anfield,” he told reporters. He added that the club’s appeal must be resolved quickly, as the uncertainty could damage the club’s reputation and the integrity of the league. “It’s a bad look if this is allowed to fester,” Maresca said, stressing that City’s summer spending and current form could still see them win the league if the appeal is successful.
Liverpool’s manager, Andoni Iraola, acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the match, noting that “no one knows what’s going to happen.” He urged his team to concentrate on playing their best football, regardless of the off‑pitch drama. Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis, writing for BBC Sport, called for a siege mentality from both players and supporters, insisting that the club must prove its worth on the pitch even amid the turmoil.
Security concerns are also high. Merseyside Police have announced that an “appropriate” plan will be in place to manage the expected turbulence, recalling the 2018 Champions League quarter‑final where City’s team bus was attacked with bottles and flares. The police were unable to identify the perpetrators, and Liverpool was fined £17,500 by UEFA for the incident.
As City head into Anfield, the match will test not only their footballing abilities but also their mental resilience. The outcome will have implications beyond the 90 minutes, potentially affecting the club’s standing in the league and the broader question of whether the season can be considered legitimate under the looming threat of sanctions. The Premier League will be watching closely as the appeal process unfolds, while fans on both sides brace for a confrontation that could redefine the rivalry between the two clubs.