Manchester City prepare for Liverpool test after financial-rules verdict

According to Sky Sports and The Japan Times, Manchester City’s October 11 trip to Anfield to face Liverpool will be their first game after a finding that they committed major violations of Premier League financial regulations. City deny the charges and have lodged an appeal, while the club’s players are preparing for an atmosphere that former Manchester United captain Gary Neville expects to be unusually hostile.²³

Appeal and Anfield atmosphere

Sky Sports reported that Manchester City were found guilty of all charges concerning serious breaches between 2009-10 and 2017-18. Sky Sports reported that City reject the allegations and filed an appeal last Thursday challenging the commission’s decision. The Japan Times reported that the case had run for years and involved an alleged sham commercial contract, while adding that the practical effect of the verdict on the club remains unclear.²³

Liverpool supporters have called City a cheat since the Premier League charged the club in February 2023, according to The Japan Times. Neville said he expected banners and chanting at Anfield, telling The Overlap podcast: “I suspect there may be banners, there will certainly be chanting.” Merseyside Police said an appropriate policing operation would be in place for match day, The Japan Times reported.³

Focus on the match

Tony Pulis, speaking to BBC Sport, said City’s players were not personally involved in the allegations but would be aware of the reception awaiting them at away grounds. He said the group should then concentrate on winning matches, adding: “No excuses about what is happening off the field would be tolerated, and that would be my final word on the matter.”¹

City are unbeaten after winning their opening five league fixtures and stand three points ahead of Arsenal, according to Sky Sports. Brighton & Hove Albion are third, five points behind City, The Japan Times reported. Liverpool are sixth, six points behind City, but are also unbeaten after two wins and three draws in their first five league matches under Andoni Iraola, according to Sky Sports.²³

Both sides have injury and availability concerns following the international break, Sky Sports reported. City striker Erling Haaland is being assessed after limping out of Norway’s defeat by Portugal, while Phil Foden remains suspended after a red card in the Manchester derby. Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo returned early from international duty with thigh and ankle injuries respectively, according to the source.²

A wider debate

Pulis used the case to argue that football’s financial framework must allow clubs to compete through good decision-making rather than simply greater spending. He said the money in the game was “extraordinary” and argued that “Doing the right thing should give everyone the chance to compete at the highest level.”¹