Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has spoken out after Manchester City were found guilty of 114 of 115 charges of breaching the Premier League's financial rules. An independent commission ruled that the club were involved in 'sham' sponsorship deals that artificially inflated their revenue by £900million.
The deals were funded by the club's owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group, something which City categorically deny, as they intend to appeal the verdict.
Klopp's response to the verdict
Speaking at a Germany press conference, Klopp appeared to backtrack on previous comments he had made on the matter, reports the Mirror.
He said: "Of course I've heard about that, but I haven't given it much thought. I can only wait and see."
"I have big respect for Pep Guardiola and City's style of football; they played fantastic football and were a top class opponent for us."
"If any sanctions are handed out, I have nothing to do with it; I'll wait and see. I'm far from preparing for a title or anything like that. I'm absolutely fine with what we've achieved in Liverpool."
"We fought hard on the pitch. I can't say more about that because I don't know the details and I'm not interested in them."
Potential sanctions and Liverpool's title history
While City continue to fight the case, potential punishments could see them expelled from the top flight, relegated, fined or hit with massive points deductions. They could also be stripped of the trophies they won during the nine-year period in question, with some observers suggesting the honours should be retrospectively handed to their competitors.
Liverpool finished runners-up to City on three occasions in the modern era, though only one of those falls within the timeframe that the club were under investigation for - when Brendan Rodgers was in charge at Anfield in 2013/14.
Klopp's previous stance and Guardiola's response
Klopp's remarks represent something of a U-turn from his stance in January 2025, when he pledged to celebrate should Liverpool be handed the titles, while he has also previously quipped that he would participate in an open-top bus parade.
He said: "We had this discussion when I left. I haven't spent a lot of time in Mallorca [where he moved after leaving Liverpool] because I am always flying around the place."
"But if it would happen, I told all the people who wanted to [come]: 'Just book a flight to Mallorca. I will buy the beer! We'd have our own parade in my garden."
Meanwhile, Klopp's former adversary Guardiola - who left the club in the summer - has ended his silence on the charges. Taking to social media, the ex-City manager said: "I want every single Man City fan to know I am here; more than ever. I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran [Soriano] the players, staff, Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all."
