Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola shaped one of the Premier League’s fiercest rivalries in recent years, but the latest controversy surrounding City has added another layer of tension to the fixture.
Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca remained composed despite facing a series of questions about the club’s financial regulations case during his pre-match media briefing ahead of Sunday’s, October 11, 2026 encounter with Liverpool.
Maresca insisted his immediate priority was preparing his players for the match, although he acknowledged that the atmosphere at Anfield could become even more hostile because of the verdict against City.
Maresca’s immediate priority
He said: “The reason I joined this club is that I completely trust, 100%, the owner, the CEO, the sporting director, all the organisation. So I don’t have doubt about that.
“It will be a tough game, for sure. We need to be ready, the focus needs to be about the game, but we know the environment at Anfield.
“It probably will be worse because of the situation but, again, it will be our duty to do our best and try to win the game. The reason I decide to become manager is for this type of game.”
The Italian’s confidence in the club’s position was evident when he spoke about City’s expected appeal against the ruling, referring to the outcome in terms of “when” they win rather than whether they will succeed.
City have strongly challenged the commission’s findings, arguing that its decision contains “clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe”.
However, the commission repeatedly used the term “sham” when examining the club’s financial dealings, mentioning it eight times in its findings. Among the allegations was the artificial inflation of revenue by more than £900 million through what it described as “sham” agreements.
With the possibility of further sanctions and an appeal still ahead, the controversy threatens to overshadow the Premier League campaign and raise questions about the legitimacy of the competition’s eventual outcome.
City have returned to their customary position at the top of the standings, but their financial case has raised a difficult question over whether their campaign could ultimately be overshadowed by a guilty verdict.
Leagues reputation at risk
Former England international Alan Shearer believes the delay in determining the consequences of the case is damaging the league’s reputation.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live Sport, Shearer said: “I just think it’s such a bad look that we’re still having to wait for the consequences.
“We’ve never seen anything like this. This is the biggest thing to happen to the Premier League since it started in 1992, that’s how big it is. Credibility matters and you won’t get anything different from any coach or player at Manchester City other than we’re going to stick together and we believe in the club.
“They’re about to find out the anger from every club, starting at Anfield.
“It needs sorting out now because they’ve spent a fortune in the summer. They’ve won every game and that could still be the case in two months, three months, four months. They could end up winning the league. That’s why it needs sorting out now because it’s such a bad look if it’s allowed to fester.
“The level of hostility will rise wherever they go. The ramifications are endless to this case. Where it goes after is something we don’t know. It’s huge. It really is massive.”
Shearer’s concerns centre on the uncertainty surrounding the case, particularly as City continue to compete for the title while the potential punishment remains unresolved.
The former striker believes the prolonged process could intensify resentment among rival clubs and their supporters, with Anfield expected to provide an early indication of the hostility City may encounter on their travels.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola, who is preparing for his first involvement in this high-profile Premier League contest, also acknowledged the difficulty created by the uncertainty surrounding the case.
He said: “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 club we can be, the best team we can be. That’s my challenge.”
Despite City’s determination to overturn the commission’s findings, the club are likely to face an uncomfortable welcome when they visit Anfield.
The match will therefore carry significance beyond the battle for points, with the financial controversy expected to remain a major talking point as the two sides meet.
