Manchester City heads to Anfield this Sunday in what promises to be a highly charged atmosphere. The encounter marks the reigning champions’ first outing since an independent commission ruled that the club committed the majority of the 115 financial charges brought by the Premier League. While current City manager Enzo Maresca maintained on Friday that the club’s trophy hauls are “absolutely not” tainted, the mood among the opposing supporters is expected to be volatile. Some may question each of those successes after an independent commission found the club guilty of the majority of the 115 financial charges the Premier League brought against them. He and his players will face up to their new normal, but come Sunday.
This fixture serves as a stark reminder of the tension that has defined this rivalry in recent years. In December 2024, during a 2-0 defeat for City at Anfield, the home crowd mocked Pep Guardiola by chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning.” Guardiola famously responded by holding up six fingers, a gesture referencing the half-dozen Premier League titles he secured during his tenure.
The current landscape is markedly different, with neither Jurgen Klopp nor Guardiola on the touchlines for the first time since 2015. Despite the change in leadership, the stakes remain high. City have opened their campaign with five consecutive victories, and manager Enzo Maresca is tasked with maintaining that perfect 100% record in a stadium that consistently challenges the club.
For Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola, the match is a pivotal opportunity to gain momentum. “It’s an exciting game,” Iraola remarked, acknowledging the challenge of facing a league-leading opponent. “We are playing at home at Anfield against City, who have won all of their games. We will go for the game, they will go for it and it will be quite an open game. I hope we will be at the level of the game, which will be high.”
The backdrop of the financial investigation continues to loom over the fixture. Historically, Liverpool have often been the side left empty-handed in the title race, finishing runners-up to City in 2013-14, 2018-19, and 2021-22. During those campaigns, Liverpool managed high points tallies of 97 and 92, yet still fell short by the narrowest of margins.
Reflecting on those near-misses, former Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg told The Athletic that the frustration remains palpable. “You think about the memories and the successes that you were wrongly denied,” Achterberg said, adding that the club could have potentially secured four titles rather than one during that era.
While City maintains their innocence and awaits the outcome of an appeal, the uncertainty surrounding the verdict weighs heavily on the league. Addressing the broader situation, Iraola noted, “The worst thing probably is the uncertainty. No-one knows what’s going to happen. We have to focus on Liverpool and being the best team we can be. That’s my challenge.”
Liverpool chairman Tom Werner is expected to be in attendance for the showdown, which will likely feature significant fan displays, including banners and flags. As both sides prepare for the kickoff, the narrative surrounding the match is inextricably linked to the ongoing legal saga and the history of fierce competition between the two teams.
