Manchester City have been found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges they faced, and if their appeal fails, Liverpool could benefit by snapping up several star players in a hypothetical fire sale. The verdict covers a nine-season period between 2009 and 2018, with the tribunal determining that the club deployed "sham" deals and payments to hide over £900million in owner funding, as well as being uncooperative with the investigation.
City maintain their innocence and lodged an appeal on Friday. If the tribunal upholds the verdict, another independent commission will meet to determine their punishment, which could range from stripping titles to relegation or heavy points deductions. Should sanctions be severe enough that City are forced to sell players to balance the books, or stars choose to flee, Liverpool could be among Europe's elite clubs looking to pounce.
Defensive overhaul on the cards
In goal, Alisson remains the No. 1, with 18-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, signed from KRC Genk on deadline day in August for up to £30m, waiting in the wings. Gianluigi Donnarumma is considered more likely to head back to mainland Europe in this theoretical scenario.
At left-back, Milos Kerkez has come under scrutiny this campaign, and Josko Gvardiol could be a prime target. The Croatian has scored 14 times in all competitions since joining City from RB Leipzig in 2023 and ranks in the top 10 per cent of full-backs or centre-backs across Europe for total touches per match this term. He could also provide cover at left-centre-half.
In central defence, Virgil van Dijk is 35 and approaching the twilight of his career. Marc Guehi, who moved to City in January after a summer 2025 transfer saga with Crystal Palace, could finally make Anfield home. He would initially partner Van Dijk, with Jeremy Jacquet, Ronald Araujo and Giovanni Leoni providing depth. Jeremy Frimpong keeps his place at right-back.
Midfield left intact, attack strengthened
The midfield is left alone, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister forming an energetic double pivot. Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez and Ayyoub Bouaddi are mentioned as potential additions, but City's midfielders are on high wages and other priorities exist at Anfield. Florian Wirtz can continue to make the No. 10 role his own.
Up front, Antoine Semenyo is described as a "complete no-brainer." Rejuvenated by Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth, he netted 31 goals in 99 appearances before his move to City in January 2026. He could serve as a genuine replacement for Mohamed Salah on the right flank, with Bradley Barcola, signed for £123m, on the left.
Alexander Isak leads the line, with Hugo Ekitike as backup, meaning there is no need for Erling Haaland on Merseyside. Liverpool's dream XI in this scenario: Alisson; Frimpong, Guehi, Van Dijk, Gvardiol; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Semenyo, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak.
