LIVERPOOL: Manchester City faced the ‘coldest’ and most hostile reception when they arrived at Anfield Stadium on Sunday, following the controversial outcome of the club’s alleged financial irregularities case.
The Premier League leaders set foot on Merseyside for their first match since an independent commission found City guilty of 114 counts of breaching the league’s financial fair play rules, and Liverpool fans are already preparing for a fiery reception.
The home fans drowned out the announcement of the City squad with deafening boos and a chorus of ‘down to the lower divisions’ chants in a mockery of the possible relegation penalty awaiting the visitors.
Among the banners hung were those that read ‘A Generation of Supporters Cheated’, while some supporters also carried three balloons with the number 114 on them.
On the other hand, Manchester City’s visiting supporters brightened up the atmosphere at the opposition’s ground by carrying wind-blown bananas – a long-standing humorous tradition dating back to their time in the lower divisions in the 1980s.
However, City club has consistently denied all the allegations.
Outside the stadium grounds, ‘hard-core’ souvenir stalls sell flags and T-shirts clearly printed with the word ‘FRAUD.’
One of the flags also featured an image of former City manager Pep Guardiola with a line of players including Erling Haaland, who were edited to wear black-and-red striped prison uniforms, complete with the word ‘CHEAT’ on the back along with prisoner number 114.
It is a symbol of the cynical humor of the football world, proving that the stigma of the decision quickly spreads from the courtroom to the actual EPL competition arena.
Merseyside Police were previously put on high alert over concerns that the City squad bus could be targeted by angry fans following a social media post calling for action to welcome the team bus.
However, despite Liverpool fans flooding the length of Anfield Road, burning flares and singing anti-City songs, the visiting team’s bus reportedly took an alternative route and arrived without any untoward incident.
Recalling memories from 2018, the Manchester City bus was pelted with bottles, drinks cans and flares before a Champions League match at Anfield, causing severe damage, forcing the club to provide a replacement bus for the return trip to Manchester.