Liverpool fans at Anfield directed chants of "You're f****** cheats!" at Manchester City during the 3-0 defeat, responding to the Premier League's independent commission finding City guilty of 114 financial charges. The verdict is pending appeal.
As City controlled the ball in stoppage time, each pass was met with a booming "cheats" from the home ends. The chants replaced the usual Liverpudlian wit once City took a 3-0 lead and their supporters attempted to deride the Anfield experience.
City's guilty verdict and potential punishment
The Premier League's redacted, 40-page core decision, published late last month, found City guilty of offences including "sham" contracts and the artificial inflation of nearly £900m in commercial revenue. If the verdict is upheld after City's appeal, an enormous, unprecedented punishment must follow.
Some Premier League clubs' executives reportedly feel uneasy about losing City, one of the league's apparent star draws. However, the article argues that weapons-grade cheating for nearly a decade cannot be 'punished' by a slap on the wrist or a fine for a club bankrolled by Abu Dhabi's wealth for nearly 20 years.
Gravenberch red card sparks Liverpool collapse
Liverpool had been the better side until Chris Kavanagh sent off Ryan Gravenberch for a second booking shortly after the hour mark. By minute 68, City led 2-0 through Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku, whose introduction kicked the visitors into gear. Rayan Cherki added a third late on.
The defeat was Andoni Iraola's first as Liverpool boss. His injury-hit side was deprived of significant attacking thrust, with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo joining long-term absentee Hugo Ekitike on the injured list. Dominik Szoboszlai suffered a hamstring injury before the game.
Wirtz and Barcola fail to impress
Florian Wirtz, who cost £116m, was substituted in the second period after coughing up possession 16 times in the first half alone. Bradley Barcola, signed for £123m at the end of August, was also quiet.
Giovanni Leoni is expected back this month, but Conor Bradley hasn't played since January and is still some way off his comeback. Ekitike won't be ready for some months yet.
The article concludes that until the appeals process has been heard, Premier League football will be stuck in purgatory, and the shameful saga needs a conclusion soon.
