How Man City avoided hostile reception at Anfield before Liverpool showdown

All the talk ahead of kick-off largely centred around the atmosphere Man City were expected to receive for what is their first match since an independent commission found them guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of the top-flight’s financial rules over a nine-season period between 2009/10 and 2018/19.

City deny any wrongdoing and have launched an appeal, with serious sanctions likely if that fails.

As such, memories of the incident prior to a Champions League quarter-final clash between the two teams in April 2018, had been brought up all week.

On that occasion, the Man City team bus was damaged as Liverpool fans threw bottles and fireworks at the City coach as it arrived at the ground.

Liverpool promptly issued an apology condemning the violence, while Merseyside Police also released a statement on its official website in relation to the damage to the team bus.

However, that was not the case on Sunday as the Man City team bus opted for an alternative route. In addition, the Telegraph have reported that two City buses arrived at different entrances, to throw fans off the scent.

Ultimately, that was a clever tactic by City, especially with Liverpool fans fired up outside the stadium with some supporters selling merchandise which mocked Man City over the aforementioned guilty verdict.

The Man City bus at Anfield

Getty

That said, it’s expected to be a completely different story inside the ground.

“They will get a very hot reception, but that is always the same when Man City come to Anfield," Jamie Carragher said when speaking on The Overlap podcast.

"Liverpool and Man City have been the two teams going for the titles and the big trophies over the last decade or so. They have got a really poor record at Anfield really for such a great team.

"That is because of the atmosphere and they have found it difficult. I don't think this will be any different, and there will be an extra spice to it. All eyes will be watching this game and it should be a cracker.

"I think it will be very difficult for City now this season in terms of going on to achieve anything. Of course there might be sanctions as the season goes on, but every away ground that they go to will be the best atmosphere in that stadium that season.

"Everyone is baying for blood, so it will be very difficult for their players and manager to achieve anything."