Liverpool vs Man City: Perfect-Start City Head to Anfield on Sunday Afternoon
Liverpool host Premier League leaders Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, with the club's disputed 115-charge verdict and appeal hanging over the fixture.
Why everyone is searching for this game
Manchester City are heading to Anfield on Sunday afternoon, and the fixture arrives under an unusual spotlight. An independent commission found City guilty of the majority of the 115 charges the Premier League brought against them, according to the BBC. The club insists it is innocent, and a verdict on its appeal is still to come.
On the pitch, City arrive with a perfect record of five wins from five league games. Liverpool, by contrast, are looking for a way to properly kickstart their own season.
Kickoff time, TV and team news
The sources supplied give the day, Sunday afternoon, but not an exact kickoff time or the broadcaster. Check the Premier League or Liverpool's official channels for both before you plan your day.
Nor do the sources include confirmed team news or injury lists. Iraola held his pre-match press conference at the AXA Training Centre, and Liverpool have put the full briefing on YouTube. Official line-ups are normally confirmed closer to kickoff.
What the managers have said
Iraola expects a lively contest. "We will go for the game, they will go for it and it will be quite an open game and we have to be ready," he said. He added that both sides are "very good".
He also spoke about the off-field backdrop. "The worst thing probably is the uncertainty," Iraola said, adding that his focus is on making Liverpool the best team they can be.
Maresca said on Friday that City's titles are "absolutely not" tainted, the BBC reports.
Background: a fixture with history
This is the first time since 2015 that the meeting has had neither Jurgen Klopp nor Pep Guardiola on the touchline. Guardiola won six Premier League titles with City.
Liverpool finished second to City in 2013-14, 2018-19 and 2021-22. In the last two of those seasons, Klopp's side collected 97 and 92 points and still missed out by a single point. John Achterberg, a former Liverpool goalkeeping coach, told The Athletic that Liverpool "could have" won four titles but for those narrow margins.
The BBC expects a hostile atmosphere. Liverpool chairman Tom Werner will attend. Merseyside Police say an appropriate policing plan will be in place but gave no specifics. There is also a growing expectation that supporters will greet the team buses, with posters on social media advertising a "Bus Greeting".
What happens next
Confirmed line-ups and the exact kickoff time are the next things to look for on matchday. Beyond Sunday, City's appeal verdict remains outstanding, and no date is given in the sources. Until it arrives, the club's position stays officially unresolved.
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Quick answers
Who are the managers for Liverpool vs Man City?
Andoni Iraola manages Liverpool and Enzo Maresca manages City. It is the first time since 2015 that neither Klopp nor Guardiola is in charge of either side.
Is Man City's record perfect this season?
According to the BBC, City have won five out of five Premier League games this term. Beating Liverpool would keep that 100% start going.
Why is the match so charged?
City were found guilty of most of 115 charges by an independent commission and have appealed, maintaining their innocence. Some Liverpool fans and former staff feel they were denied titles.
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