Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson has demanded an appropriate punishment for Manchester City after an independent commission found the club guilty of all financial charges levelled against them by the Premier League. The verdict, which emerged during the international break, detailed how City intentionally and systematically broke Premier League regulations over a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018. The club has appealed the decision, and sanctions are yet to be applied.
Thompson calls for severe punishment
Speaking at The ARC Hotel on Anfield Road on October 9, at an event to unveil the newly-auctioned original 'This Is Anfield' sign at its new home, Thompson shared his thoughts on the verdict. He told the ECHO: "Listen, I'm looking at all of what's gone on - it needs to be severe. If this is the way it is, as we hear all the guilty [verdict] - which I know they're appealing against - the severest punishment needs to be done."
He added: "We all abide [by the rules], and I think even the top brass [do]. You sign up for the rules before every season. We all know the rules and, if you break them, you deserve the punishment that entails."
City's motivation questioned
With relegation from the Premier League a real possibility if City's appeal is not upheld, the question of how much their upcoming matches really matter is a live discussion. However, Thompson insisted the unusual circumstances will have no effect on City's motivation. He said: "It's been a big start for Manchester City, they've won their five games; we are unbeaten, so it's a huge game in its own right."
Thompson acknowledged the significance of the fixture, noting that Liverpool and Manchester City matches have become massive due to the rivalry between former managers Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola. He said: "But because of what's gone on in the last couple of weeks, it's then took on its own sort of right of being a massive game. But let me tell you this if you think it's going to inspire the Liverpool players playing against Manchester City: if I was playing for Manchester City, I would be up for this game. I would be feeling exactly the same."
Siege mentality warning
Speculation has grown as to how City's players will respond to the unprecedented situation, with England manager Thomas Tuchel acknowledging that Elliot Anderson, Marc Guehi and Nico O'Reilly had expressed concerns about their respective futures at the club while on international duty. Thompson, however, believes City will be able to channel the animosity towards them from the rest of the footballing world.
He told the ECHO: "Let me tell you, being in a dressing room in adversity and everything, you come together. You come together, and do you know what? You laugh about it. That sounds strange to you, but a dressing room culture is so different from anything [else]."
Thompson added: "And those City players will be doing exactly the same. That is my worry - what they call it now is a 'siege mentality'. So they'll be like that. That's why we have to be up for it. Not just our players, but the stadium, the fans - we come together like no other fans and players do. We make it different and we make it special."
