Anfield’s show of defiance falls flat as City batter 10-man Liverpool

Jason Burt Sun, October 11, 2026 at 7:22 PM UTC

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Erling Haaland celebrates putting City ahead with a typically ruthless finish - AFP via Getty Images/Paul EllisJust when the Premier League and the world outside of east Manchester and Abu Dhabi needed Liverpool to step up, to strike back, to make a point, they faltered. Maybe it was unfair to expect them to do so, given the circumstances. But unfairness, lack of clarity and uncertainty are all prevailing moods in English football at present.

Just when the Premier League and the world outside of east Manchester and Abu Dhabi needed Liverpool to step up, to strike back, to make a point, they faltered. Maybe it was unfair to expect them to do so, given the circumstances. But unfairness, lack of clarity and uncertainty are all prevailing moods in English football at present.

How we had rubbed our hands in anticipation of Manchester City having to play their first league fixture here at Anfield after being found guilty of industrial-scale fraud with 114 of the 115 financial charges being proven against them.

It felt apt that it was at the home of Liverpool, who, along with Arsenal, possess the strongest sense of grievance at having been denied trophies and glory by City’s cheating. As expected, there were banners everywhere at Anfield. “A generation of supporters cheated,” one read and it summed up the depth of the anger.

Their fans would surely create the kind of bear-pit atmosphere that would leave City in no doubt at the vitriol that will rain down on them from now on. At every away ground. Liverpool could set the tone. The defiance.

This is a team who can stir the blood, surf the emotion and triumph against the odds more than any other; who have a proud history of doing so. Who feel the injustice at its most acute and could feed off that.

In the end Liverpool suffered their first defeat of the season. Their first under Andoni Iraola. And comprehensively so. It could not have come at a worse time for them and for the Premier League, and for the fans of every other club who wanted to see City humbled. On the pitch.

There was another sense of injustice. Up until the dismissal of Ryan Gravenberch, Liverpool were the better side. Especially as they attacked the Kop in the second half, drawing saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma, and began to build the kind of momentum that has, over the years, appeared to suck the ball into the net.

The midfielder’s first yellow card looked harsh. His second, for a foul on substitute Jérémy Doku was less so (but still not clear-cut) and it meant Liverpool had to play the final third of the game with 10 men. Instead of weaponising that; they wilted and the fans directed their frustration at referee Chris Kavanagh, believing he was lenient towards City.

This is not a slight on Iraola, but it is hard to imagine Jürgen Klopp not riding that wave of emotion more effectively and wringing more out of the available players. Turning to the fans; imploring them; cajoling them.

Instead it was City making the statement with an extraordinary power play as they scored three times in 13 minutes, inspired by Doku, whose cameo made him man of the match. That City could hold the winger back, on the bench, only to introduce him with such devastating effect again pointed to their phenomenal strength in depth.

They are again three points clear at the top, with six wins from six games, ahead of champions Arsenal and there is a frightening awesomeness about them at present that will make the Premier League shudder. For several reasons. What if they run away with it this season before being sanctioned, probably sometime in the spring? Where will that leave the competition?

In the face of City’s power and the adversity of losing Gravenberch, Liverpool simply could not cope. They were already depleted – without Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo – and needed some of their other big signings to respond.

But this was not a good day for Bradley Barcola or Florian Wirtz, in particular, and it felt telling that the latter was withdrawn soon after Erling Haaland opened the scoring. He could, in fact, have also been sent off after catching Elliot Anderson late. The German’s contribution was once more woefully negligible; worryingly marginal. He was lightweight and so, ultimately, were Liverpool.

In fact, Liverpool’s best performers were the young attackers Victor Muñoz and, making his first league start as a makeshift centre-forward, Lewis Koumas, who is just 21. Against that, City unleashed a battery of forward talent.

Was it an unfair advantage? It appears City have been thriving off that for some time and, while this team were not signed during the years the club have been found guilty of cheating, the argument is, of course, that they would not have joined without the sporting supremacy.

Certainly not Haaland, despite his avowed love for City. That cannot be doubted as his father, Alf-Inge, a former midfielder for the club, stood celebrating in the away end. The striker missed one chance when he should have scored, sent through on goal, shaking his head in disbelief at getting his angles wrong. It felt like a warning and that went unheeded as Doku, who had replaced one of their big summer signings in Iliman Ndiaye, cut in from the left with his shot deflecting into Haaland’s path. He made no mistake with a powerful, first-time finish.

Doku soon added a second, a sublime strike, as he dribbled goalwards, defenders backing off, and he arced a right-footed shot high beyond Alisson Becker’s grasp.

There were delighted chants of “ole” from the City supporters and that arrogance was rewarded by a strutting, emphatic third goal. It was finished by the mercurial Rayan Cherki after he was sent clear by a backheel from Josko Gvardiol, another substitute.

It captured City’s swagger, their sense of responding to what they regard as an injustice – that they maintain will be overturned on appeal – the sense they are going to continue to create an almighty headache for the Premier League. In a sea of uncertainty as to what will now happen, that is something we can be sure of.

“Cheats,” loudly boomed around Anfield from the home fans before the PA played Fleetwood Mac’s Tell Me Lies at the final whistle, as the players walked off. Those signs of defiance were not matched on the pitch. Although it may be a song City will get used to hearing for the rest of this extraordinary, unprecedented campaign.

06:58pm

Iraola’s assessment

The Liverpool boss told BBC MOTD: “I think the first part is that we played two different games. One until the red card, and then after. For 60 minutes, the players were very good. The second game from the red card was where City were better than us.

“The first yellow card was just a kick in the toe. It was nothing. It was a normal foul. It was the moment when we were pushing more. The momentum was coming for us and the atmosphere in the stadium was so nice. We conceded very little in the first half. We did a really good job. The second half, we were translating into chances.

“You learn a lot in games like today. I am very proud of my players. They put the work rate and everything in today. It’s a loss and we didn’t get anything from the performance but I liked it a lot.”

06:49pm

Normal service resumed for City

06:42pm

Anderson reacts

Speaking after the game, the City midfielder told Sky Sports: “We’ve shown real togetherness and fight. It’s a tough place to come and it’s challenging.

“We really stuck together out there, fought for each other and played well. We’ve shown courage and three points is good. I thought we did really well to quieten the crowd. We struggled in the first half a little bit, but in the second half we were a lot better.”

06:40pm

Haaland speaks to Sky Sports

06:30pm

All eyes on Haaland at full-time

06:21pm

FT: Liverpool 0 Man City 3

City have emphatically passed the Anfield test, despite all the drama and uncertainty generated by the guilty verdict. The visitors scored three goals without reply through Haaland, Doku and Cherki, after Gravenberch was sent off. City have six wins from as many games, while Liverpool suffer their first defeat under Iraola.

Haaland and Cherki both scored in City’s rampant victory - Getty Images Europe/Michael Regan

06:20pm

90+1 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 3

Van Dijk clatters into Cherki and the Liverpool captain is deservedly booked. He can have no complaints about that.

06:18pm

90 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 3

There will be three minutes of added time to end this game.

06:16pm

88 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 3

There is a late double change for Liverpool as Gomez and Chiesa replace Jacquet and Barcola.

06:16pm

87 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 3

Mac Allister takes it, but his whipped effort is caught by Donnarumma, who continues to protect his clean sheet.

06:14pm

86 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 3

Bouaddi chases Munoz and brings down the Liverpool winger with a foul. The City midfielder picks a yellow for his troubles and the hosts have a free kick in a very good position.

06:13pm

84 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 3

City fans are in dreamland - REUTERS/Phil Noble

06:10pm

81 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 3

This game has descended into a training exercise. Liverpool are chasing shadows and City are oozing confidence with their numerical advantage. The away side also make a double change as Haaland and Fernandez are withdrawn for Allan and Bouaddi.

The game is no longer a contest. It is now an exhibition. City fans have been brazen all afternoon and they are going to revel in this situation, as the stadium empties.

06:06pm

GOAL! Cherki adds a third in style

He is a delight to watch! Cherki dummies Anderson’s pass, allowing Gvardiol to flick the ball into the playmaker’s path. Cherki then fakes to shot, escaping Frimpong’s sliding challenge, before coolly sliding a low strike under Alisson.

06:04pm

75 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 2

Iraola orders a double change as Ngumoha and Frimpong replace Araujo and Koumas. Amid the drama between City’s goals, Wirtz was taken off for Nyoni and Gvardiol took O’Reilly’s place at left back.

06:01pm

72 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 2

Gravenberch’s red card has completely changed the complexion of this game, with City now in firm control. Liverpool need a miracle to salvage something here.

05:56pm

GOAL! Doku curls in a stunner to double City’s lead

What a beautiful finish! Doku chops inside of Munoz, before bending an exquisite curling effort into the far top corner. The winger has made a brilliant impact since his introduction as a second-half substitute. Despite the guilty verdict, nothing has changed for City on the pitch. They are flying, with two goals in just three minutes. Liverpool now have a mountain to climb.

05:53pm

GOAL! Haaland’s clinical finish fires City in front

He is just inevitable! Doku’s deflected cross deflects into Haaland’s path and the towering Norwegian rockets an unsaveable half-volley into the bottom corner. City’s away support goes wild. His father Alf-Inge and Noel Gallagher are among those in the crowd.

05:51pm

RED CARD! Gravenberch is dismissed

Drama at Anfield! Gravenberch bumps into Doku with a late challenge, halting a City counter. The midfielder is given a second yellow card and Liverpool are down to 10 men. Gravenberch has arguably been the best player on the pitch, but he will have no further part in this game. Anfield is stunned.

05:49pm

60 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Haaland misses a huge chance! Semenyo rolls Kerkez before playing in Haaland. The striker is one-on-one and through on goal, but he dinks his effort wide of the bottom corner. That was an uncharacteristically poor finish from the Premier League’s most lethal marksman.

05:48pm

59 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Wirtz clips the set piece into the box, but Guehi rises highest to head it away. That was excellent defending from the Englishman. Wirtz then takes another free kick, whipping in a cross for Mac Allister, who directs a close-range volley wide of the near post.

05:46pm

58 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

O’Reilly is booked for catching Munoz, who is too quick for him. Liverpool have a free-kick on the edge of the area in a very promising position. Wirtz is standing over it.

05:45pm

56 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

The visitors make the first change of the game and it comes out wide.

05:44pm

55 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Gravenberch wriggles away from Anderson, teeing up Wirtz. The German slams an effort at goal, but it flashes wide. Kerkez is furious that Wirtz opted to shoot instead of passing to him.

05:42pm

53 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

There’s already been more attacking action in the opening eight minutes of the second half than the whole of the first.

05:40pm

50 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

City also threaten as Semenyo dribbles at Liverpool’s backline before aiming a low cross towards Ndiaye. However, Kerkez is there to make a pivotal interception, knocking the ball out for a corner.

05:39pm

49 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Liverpool go close with three shots in 51 seconds! Firstly, Barcola drives at City’s defence and slips a pass through to Koumas, whose venomous strike is parried away by Donnarumma. Gravenberch also tests the City goalkeeper from long range with a powerful shot, before Mac Allister whips a curling effort narrowly wide of the bottom corner.

05:36pm

47 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Gravenberch is cautioned for tripping Anderson, whose stayed down. The City midfielder is okay to continue without any treatment and play resumes.

05:33pm

46 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

We are back under way for the second half. Both sides are unchanged at the break.

05:24pm

Fouls preventing the game from flowing

05:19pm

HT verdict

There is no doubt Enzo Maresca will be the happier head coach. Liverpool, at times, have played some of their best football of the season so far and carried a threat with youngsters Victor Munoz and Lewis Koumas doing well. Even if Andoni Iraola will want more from Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola. Alexis MacAllister has gone closest. But Manchester City have undoubtedly weathered the storm and gradually gained more and more control and shown a greater threat. In saying that it is, in truth, a game that has really yet to fire. A big second-half awaits.

05:18pm

HT: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

It’s been a cagey encounter here at Anfield and nothing separates these two sides. There’s been a distinct lack of chances and attacking quality, with the defences prevailing.

Haaland and Van Dijk challenge aerially for the ball - AP/Jon Super

05:16pm

45 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

There will be one minute of added time to round off this first half. Can either side find the first goal before the break?

05:15pm

43 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Alisson does well to parry away Anderson’s fizzing cross at the near post. Liverpool then hack it clear. After an initial spell of Liverpool pressure in the opening 20 minutes, City have grown into the contest and look like the more confident side.

05:13pm

42 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Donnarumma is a picture of calmness as he manoeuvres away from Munoz with a delightful touch and turn.

05:10pm

39 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Anderson beats Wirtz to the ball, fashioning an opening for Cherki. The mercurial playmaker cuts inside and tries to bend a shot for the far corner, but he can’t wrap his foot around the strike as it flys way off target and out for a throw-in.

05:08pm

38 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

A small point to make, in amongst everything else, but Liverpool have recruited a jewel in Jeremy Jacquet. He is going to take care of Erling Haaland at every opportunity and this is the battle that will have so much of a bearing on the contest. Haaland only needs a second to make a difference - Jacquet cannot switch off at any stage.

05:05pm

35 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Fernandez’s whipped, dipping strike from outside the box is caught by Alisson. That is City’s first shot of the game.

Will Liverpool regret not capitalising on how frantic and emotional it was in the opening 20 minutes? Certainly it appears to have calmed down a bit since then with Manchester City gaining more control which will delight their head coach Enzo Maresca. There’s a little bit of frustration detectable from the home fans.

05:05pm

33 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Haaland fails to adequately clear a Liverpool corner, looping the ball into the air. Mac Allister tries an ambitious overhead kick, but his attempt is off-target. In the next phase of play, Munoz’s low, long-range strike is gathered by Donnarumma.

05:03pm

31 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

City are growing into the game as Cherki clips a searching pass over to Semenyo. The ball is slightly overhit, forcing the winger out too wide, allowing Liverpool to regroup. The hosts fly up the other end, with the busy Munoz running at O’Reilly. The City left-back has to match him stride for stride before conceding a corner.

05:00pm

29 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Gravenberch tries to find Munoz with a threaded pass through City’s backline. However, O’Reilly defends expertly, shielding the ball back to his goalkeeper.

04:59pm

28 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Liverpool need more from Wirtz and Barcola. Both big-money attackers have been on the periphery. With Isak, Gakpo and Szoboszlai all absent, Iraola needs the duo on the pitch to deliver.

04:56pm

25 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Liverpool have been aggressive and on the front foot, but we’re still waiting for a noteworthy chance to be created here at Anfield. City haven’t been spectacular, but they’ve done just about enough so far.

04:54pm

22 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Kerkez fires in a cross and there’s a miscommunication between Guehi and Donnarumma, with the centre-back slicing a clearance instead of allowing the goalkeeper to gather the delivery. Barcola can’t capitalise on the loose ball and City get away with one there.

04:52pm

21 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Let’s not kid ourselves about what we are seeing at the moment. There is a lot of noise but nothing has happened to light a fire and the onus has got to be on Liverpool’s players to step this up considerably. This occasion, more than anything, is crying out for someone to play how the supporters are feeling and it’s not there yet. It’s been tame and Manchester City are, accordingly, comfortable.

04:51pm

19 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

City motor forward on the counter through Cherki, whose delightful touch takes him away from Mac Allister. From inside his own half, the Frenchman dribbles to the edge of Liverpool’s penalty area. He attempts to play a one-two with Fernandez, but the pass is cut out by Jacquet.

04:47pm

16 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Manchester City have not got going, as of yet. The defiant message from the club is they would not let the verdict affect them. They have defended well enough but have barely strung a passing sequence together against a Liverpool side who appear be playing off pure emotion.

04:46pm

14 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Gravenberch is bossing this game in midfield. Another powerful run from deep results in a delightful nutmeg on Fernandez, who slips over. Liverpool’s energy has been really impressive. City need to ride out this early storm.

04:44pm

13 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

It’s getting heated at Anfield! Mac Allister and Anderson clash sparking a scuffle between both sets of players. It threatened to boil over for a second, but the drama quickly calms down and play resumes after the referee has a word with the two captains.

Both sets of players clash in a match of heightened emotions - Getty Images Europe/Michael Regan

04:42pm

11 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

All fairly difficult to stomach, the Manchester City fans’ performance at kick-off. Inflatable bananas to signify nostalgia for the late 1980s, when these were all the rage after the club’s relegation to Division Two? The City of Sheikh Mansour are about as far removed from the era of Jimmy Frizzell as is possible to imagine, with their colossal wealth enabling cheating on an unprecedented scale. And as for the Poznan during You’ll Never Walk Alone? When Liam Gallagher asks Oasis fans to perform this backwards dance during next year’s tour, I suspect there will not be quite the same take-up.

04:40pm

8 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

There’s an early flashpoint as Koumas puts Guehi under serious pressure, causing the defender to fall to the ground and grab the ball with his hands. It’s not a foul and Liverpool are given a free kick. The hosts want Guehi booked and Araujo sprints over to the referee waving an imaginary yellow card, but gets one himself.

04:37pm

7 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Amid all the build-up and backstory to this extraordinary fixture it is remarkable that 21-year-old Lewis Koumas is making his first Premier League start as Liverpool’s makeshift centre-forward. And he has started well.

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04:37pm

5 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

A spell of Man City possession has slightly quelled the atmosphere. On paper, you would have to say the away side’s starting 11 is superior to Liverpool’s.

04:33pm

2 min: Liverpool 0 Man City 0

Liverpool make a fast start as Gravenberch effortlessly turns Fernandez and Munoz darts inside of O’Reilly. The winger’s shot is smothered by Guehi, but the early signs are encouraging for the hosts.

04:31pm

Kick-off

City get us under way at Anfield. This is one we’ve quite literally all been waiting for.

04:30pm

Players are out on the pitch

A roaring rendition of YNWA is bellowed by Anfield, which is in full voice. City players huddle together and go over to clap their fans in a show of solidarity.

04:29pm

Story of the ‘114’ balloonsLiverpool fans hold up balloons that read “114” - Getty Images Europe/Alex Pantling

Stewards confiscate balloons from the Liverpool fans - PA/Peter Byrne

04:27pm

The Kop is ready and what can Koumas produce?

In the corner of the stadium, where the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand meets The Kop, there is a white banner with black paint proclaiming: “A generation of supporters cheated” - none of this is bothering the Manchester City fans, who are going back a generation and have a raft of inflatable bananas. (It was a craze in the 1980s, for you younger readers). Anyway, let’s get on with the game and what an opportunity this is for young Lewis Koumas, who has produced the individual performance of the season so far for Liverpool against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup. He needs to be a scampering, scurrying menace once again.

04:25pm

Eruption has commenced

The Kop has now started a chant of “you cheating b-------” you know what you are. Doubt it will be the last time we hear that this afternoon. They are now singing “going down, going down, going down”.

04:24pm

Atmosphere on the verge of erupting

No chance of hearing the names of the Manchester City players as the team is read out by the PA announcer. He is drowned out by the boos, jeers and whistles from the Liverpool fans. The atmosphere is certainly starting to build.

04:23pm

New lyrics

A re-imagining of Oasis’ Wonderwall at the front of the Kop. “And after all,” the banner reads, “you really robbed us all.”

04:16pm

Where is Szoboszlai?

Andoni Iraola told Sky Sports: “He came back from the international break with an overload. He felt a tight hamstring.

“He tried somehow pushing through training, but he was not feeling 100 per cent.

“We will have to wait for Dom, yes.”

04:14pm

Reminder of the teams

With just over 15 minutes until kick-off, here’s a recap of the two sides.

Liverpool: Alisson, Araujo, Jacquet, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Barcola, Wirtz, Munoz, Koumas.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Chiesa, Tsimikas, Frimpong, Nyoni, McConnell, Ngumoha.

Man City: Donnarumma, Matheus Luiz, Dias, Guehi, O’Reilly, Anderson, Fernandez, Semenyo, Cherki, Ndiaye, Haaland.

Subs: Rulli, Kovacic, Doku, Vitor Reis, Gvardiol, Bouaddi, Allan, Khusanov, Lewis.

04:12pm

Maresca’s pre-match thoughts

When asked if the mindset and mood are right for him to do his job, the City boss replied: “Yes. Absolutely. Yes.

“The mood is good, the mindset is good. Now it’s time to start the game - finally!

“It [togetherness] is very important; the mix between the players and the fans, everyone.

“We are away in a complicated environment, a complicated stadium, but we are going to do our best to try to win the game.”

04:08pm

City fans’ responseNow here’s a way to wind up Anfield - Getty Images Europe/Michael Regan

04:07pm

Another stark bannerLiverpool fans display a pointed banner inside the stadium - Getty Images Europe/Alex Pantling

04:03pm

Calm before the storm

The Manchester City players are out for their warm-up and, dare it be said, they were greeted with apathy by the Liverpool fans. Not even the murmur of a boo when Erling Haaland and Co emerged. It surely will be very different when kick off comes.

Erling Haaland is out on the Anfield turf - AP/Jon Super

03:58pm

Goalkeepers are out

Liverpool’s Alisson Becker during the warm-up before the match - REUTERS/Phil Noble

Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma waves to the crowd before his warm-up - Getty Images Europe/Michael Regan

03:55pm

Unprecedented conundrum for the City squad

The current City players found themselves in a peculiar situation as none of this is their fault, but they’ll be the ones who receive the brunt of abuse from rival fans as the public-facing figures of the club. They’ll need to be braced for a hostile reception at every away ground in England.

However, you can expect Anfield to turn up the heat to one of the highest levels, given how alleged City’s actions have impacted Liverpool’s trophy haul.

03:43pm

Why Liverpool feel especially aggrieved at City’s actions

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool finished second in the 2018-19 season, accumulating a staggering 98 points, while winning 30 matches and losing just once. City incredibly pipped them to the Premier League trophy by one point. A strikingly similar scenario occurred in the 2021-22 campaign, with Liverpool placing as runners-up with 92 points. You guessed it, City had 93.

What’s done is done, and ultimately we are entering a territory of ifs, buts and maybes. However, if City’s appeal against the charges is unsuccessful and the guilty verdict is upheld, then Liverpool would have unfairly missed out on historic success and lifelong memories.

The current City players found themselves in a peculiar situation as none of this is their fault, but they’ll be the ones who receive the brunt of abuse from rival fans as the public-facing figures of the club. They’ll need to be braced for a hostile reception at every away ground in England. However, you can expect Anfield to turn up the heat to one of the highest levels, given the aforementioned landscape and how City’s actions have impacted Liverpool’s trophy haul.

03:40pm

City players at Anfield

Rayan Cherki of Manchester City arrives at the stadium in full focus - Manchester City FC/Tom Flathers

Jeremy Doku also arrives at Anfield - Manchester City FC/Isaac Parkin

03:36pm

City fans in high spirits

03:28pm

Liverpool’s message is loud and clearShort, simple and straight to the point - Getty Images Europe/Alex Pantling

03:17pm

City team news

After getting sent off in the Manchester derby last time out, Phil Foden is replaced in attack by Iliman Ndiaye. Enzo Maresca makes another change in defence, with Nico O’Reilly taking Josko Gvardiol’s place.

03:16pm

Liverpool team news

Andoni Iraola is without three of his big hitters as Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are all missing from the squad. Ryan Gravenberch, Victor Munoz and 21-year-old academy product Lewis Koumas replace them.

03:13pm

The mystery of the City buses

In turns out that the two City buses arrived in a different entrance, round the back of Anfield Road. This was a clever tactic in avoiding the ferocious build-up of revved up Liverpool fans.

Here they are - Getty Images Europe/Michael Regan

03:07pm

Where’s the visiting bus?

Liverpool bus has arrived to a scene of billowing red smoke and the thousands who have gathered singing “Allez Allez Allez!”

No sign of City bus, and the fact that police have now reopened Anfield Road from the Prince Harry pub towards the stadium suggests there may not be one at all. Several silver and black minivans with blacked-out windows arrived a few minutes ago – were the Manchester City players inside them?

02:54pm

Will this be clubs’ last Anfield meeting for foreseeable future?

The Liverpool fans have just started singing: “Going down! Going down! Going down!” and it’s incredible to think this could be the last meeting at Anfield between the sides for the foreseeable future.

This was the meeting in English football for the last decade and the quality was never higher than between 2018 and 2022. Over those four seasons, Manchester City amassed 358 points. Liverpool’s total was 357. Incredible how one team ended up with three titles and the other only had one.

02:48pm

Supporters await player arrivals

Supporters set off flares in anticipation of the team buses - Getty Images/Paul Ellis

The atmosphere continues to build as kick-off draws near - PA/Peter Byrne

02:45pm

Police and drones in position

The Police operation is in full swing. Drones are flying low up and down Anfield Road and the number of high visibility jackets has increased in the last five minutes. The songs are varying between praise for Liverpool players – Alexis Mac Allister is currently in vogue – and scorn for Manchester City. Definitely more people here now.

02:42pm

‘You cheating b------s, you know what you are’

Around 30 minutes before the buses are expected to meander down Anfield Road and, already, vantage points are being taken and throats are being cleared. For scale, there isn’t the same volume of people (yet) as there has been for title run-ins and European nights but there is going to be a crackle in the air soon enough.

“You cheating b------s, you know what you are” is audible already.

Liverpool fans gather on Anfield Road

02:33pm

Opta backs City to win

The Opta supercomputer has spoken, awarding City a 40.7 per cent chance of winning this afternoon against Liverpool’s 34.6 per cent.

However Maresca’s men well know that conqueroring Anfield is one of football’s toughest tests. In fact, away teams have only won 12.5 per cent of all Premier League matches at Liverpool’s storied home.

02:28pm

Domino’s cheeky promotion

“Should have made it a sham and pineapple,” the company’s official account comments.

02:18pm

Carragher: ‘This could go on for years – it’ll ruin the game’

02:13pm

Punchy souvenirs on sale

Outside Anfield the merchandise stalls are stocking a punchy alternative to the half-and-half scarves, with these “114 Charges: Guilty” pennants, redrawing Pep Guardiola and his players as prisoners. So far I have also seen “cheats” in the font of the Oasis logo.

Getty Images/Paul Ellis

02:05pm

Richards on City’s verdict

02:02pm

Keane: ‘I’d have been disgusted if this had happened at United’

01:52pm

City verdict: The week that sent shockwaves through footballSept 25: City guilty

News breaks that City had been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought by the Premier League over breaches of its financial rules.

Telegraph Sport understands that Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur were contacted in advance of the email to the other 15 clubs.

Sept 26: Chairman speaks out

In a letter to fans, a defiant Khaldoon Al Mubarak, City’s chairman, expresses complete confidence that his club would be vindicated.

“There remain many who want to undermine the momentum of our club,” he writes. “We will not give them that opportunity.”

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak maintained the club’s innocence - AP/Dave ThompsonSept 27-29: Initial backlash

With the football world still making sense of the news, Tony Pulis admits to feeling “cheated”. His Stoke City side were defeated by Manchester City in the 2011 FA Cup final, during the 2009-23 period.

Hull City owner Acun Ilicali then likens City’s transgressions to “doping” before Mauricio Pochettino, whose Spurs side were often in the hunt with City for major trophies during his time as manager, says that football has “lived through a period of deception”.

Sept 29: Premier League’s 40-page verdict

The Premier League reveals that City’s owners inflated “sham” sponsorship deals by £830.69m between 2009-10 and 2017-18.

It also discloses that image rights had been inflated and key witnesses had lied.

Sept 30: Soriano video and Pep breaks silence

Ferran Soriano, chief executive of City Football Group, appears helpless when questioned about the verdict’s findings at the European Football Clubs’ general assembly in Copenhagen by Sky News.

An unblinking Soriano then features in a video statement published by City in which he claimed their guilty verdict was based on “a single false accusation”.

With City on the ropes, Pep Guardiola releases a statement in support of his former club, assuring supporters that “we will get through this together”.

Sept 30: Burnham reaction prompts backlash

The Prime Minister says that he would be “really concerned” to lose City’s owners, but after significant backlash, No 10 moves to clarify his reaction saying that “if wrongdoing is established, those responsible should face the appropriate consequences”.

It later amends the statement to “wherever wrongdoing is established”.

The UAE then warns Andy Burnham that it will pull billions of pounds of investment out of the UK in retaliation for the guilty verdict against City.

Oct 2: City submit appeal

City argue that their sponsorship deals were part-funded by the Abu Dhabi government, rather than the club’s owners, in their appeal, which claims bank statements and witness accounts provide “irrefutable evidence” to support their case.

01:47pm

Liverpool players arrive at team hotel

01:40pm

Shearer: Bad look for Premier League

01:38pm

How Iraola reacted to City verdict

The Liverpool head coach was asked for his reaction to City’s guilty verdict in his pre-match press conference and, as with many of his peers, he kept his response brief.

“Uncertainty is not good for anyone involved,” he said. “But there is the process ongoing and we have to be patient like everyone else and see what happens at the end.”

01:30pm

What really awaits Man City in the Anfield cauldron

It is the most unlikely Oasis song title for a banner but, in a sea of canvas, the word will jump out from the Kop: Acquiesce.

The simplest flags frequently carry the most profound messages and, on a red background, below Acquiesce is the declaration: “MCFC Cheats”. It has been prepared specially and specifically for the return of domestic football to Anfield.

Given the tone coming out of the Etihad Stadium, nobody will be acquiescing to any alleged wrongdoing, certainly not on Sunday, but minds were made up on Merseyside about how far City had pushed the boundaries in pursuit of success a long time ago.

Manchester City are no strangers to hostile receptions at Anfield - Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt

“There has been a lot of talk about various things,” explains John Gibbons, host of Anfield Wrap, the popular Liverpool podcast. “Manchester City trying to say they are going to be hard done to, but there are no great surprises among Liverpool fans about these charges, are there?

“Everyone who goes to the match, who supports Liverpool, have known all along that a lot of those sponsorship deals looked questionable. Did they pass the smell test? That’s why the atmospheres in the past when City came were always brilliant and I’m expecting it will be the same again.”

So that is why Anfield will be a maelstrom of sound and fury for one of the most significant occasions in Premier League history.

01:26pm

Anfield street vendors get creative

The half-and-half scarves have been replaced by more topical match-day merchandise this afternoon...

PA/Peter Byrne

Reuters/Phil Noble

01:22pm

Maresca: I trust the club completely

Here is what City’s head coach said during his first press conference after the guilty verdict:

On the guilty verdict

“There is a process ongoing and in this moment I completely trust the club … I trust the club because I trust the people and this is also the reason why I joined the club. And then there is not another club in the world where I would [rather] be.”

Are past successes tainted?

“Absolutely not. The last time I was here was the treble season. I know the effort from the players, from the club, from the manager in that time that was Pep [Guardiola]. I know exactly the effort that the club put to achieve that kind of target.”

Enzo Maresca faced the media on Friday - Getty Images/Tom FlathersManaging in League One?

“I won the Championship with Leicester. League One, we will see, but we are thinking about something that we don’t know.”

On the mood among the players

I’m not worried at all. The environment [among] the players is nice. In this moment we are top of the league so the players have all the reason to be happy and excited.

Would he have joined City after verdict?

“One hundred per cent… Because I know the organisation from years ago, and I know how serious they are, I know that they do the right things. I would like to speak about this when we win the appeal.”

01:17pm

Recent head-to-head

While Liverpool have struggled for wins in this fixture of late, it’s worth noting that this run includes five draws.

01:07pm

United fans make their feelings known

On Saturday Manchester United fans resurrected their “ticker” mocking Manchester City’s trophy drought following their rivals’ cheating scandal:

United supporters showed off the banner during their draw against Tottenham on Saturday - Getty Images/Alex Livesey

There was also a nod to Rui Pinto, the whistleblower whose Football Leaks documents prompted the Premier League’s investigation into City:

PA/Martin Rickett

12:59pm

How did we get here?

12:53pm

Fear stalks the corridors at Man City as staff brace for hostile rival fans

There were four days between the news leaking that Manchester City had been found guilty of the majority of charges first levelled at them by the Premier League in February 2023 and the independent commission findings dropping.

Staff, then, had had a bit of time to process a guilty verdict although little, it seems, could adequately prepare them for the excoriating tone and content of the commission’s ruling.

“The thing that has shocked me more than anything is the language the commission used to describe the club’s conduct,” one staff member told Telegraph Sport this week.

“We had been waiting for a very long time to see what came out of these Premier League charges and lots of different things go through your head. But I just wasn’t expecting that. I’m still a bit shell-shocked by the ferocity of what the commission said. I think that’s what’s worried me.”

12:43pm

Haaland: We have to stick together

12:38pm

Preview: City to face public’s ire at Anfield

“The international break is good because we can review what we have done and what we can do better,” Enzo Maresca said after Manchester City’s harum-scarum 5-3 victory over Sunderland. “But at the same time we can relax a little bit more.” One wonders how much respite Enzo Maresca and Manchester City actually enjoyed in the intervening 21 days.

Since City last kicked a football in anger, they have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges levelled at them by the Premier League in a verdict that has shaken professional football to its very core. The club have appealed and the extent of their punishment now rests with an independent panel. Until then, though, the show goes on and City’s players and staff must compete knowing that their every move now comes with a caveat.

Maresca believes City’s appeal will be successful - Getty Images/Tom Flathers

City have put up a united front and on Thursday Maresca and Haaland duly delivered the party lines, the City head coach revealing that the feeling among his charges was “fantastic”. “[My players] know what we can control is the football side – they are not worried at all about different things,” Maresca said, before adding that he trusts the club “completely”. The Italian doubled down on his remarks in his Friday press conference.

City maintain their innocence and many of Maresca’s peers have remained tight-lipped on the case, though Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick admitted this week he has questions, while Régis Le Bris urged football’s governing bodies to be “relentless” in safeguarding competitive integrity.

Given all that has happened, it would be easy to forget that this is, for now, a top-of-the-table clash and has been one of the Premier League’s marquee rivalries since the days of Guardiola-Jürgen Klopp. Liverpool fans have never been ones to roll out the red carpet when City are in town, but the ill feeling and belligerence will only intensify at Anfield this time around owing to the events of the past weeks.

City are top of the league having won all five of their league matches so far, while Liverpool have huffed and puffed to sixth, remaining unbeaten.

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