Erling Haaland has called on Manchester City to remain united in the aftermath of the Premier League finding them guilty of breaching financial rules, and reckons their supporters will still enjoy themselves at Anfield when they face Liverpool.
Sunday's match is the club's first fixture since an independent commission ruled them guilty on all counts of serious violations of the league's financial regulations over a nine-season span from 2009/10 to 2017/18, as well as the majority of allegations regarding their failure to cooperate with the probe.
Appeal underway
City have appealed against the ruling with the chair of the independent judicial panel, currently Sir Gary Hickinbottom, and an appeal board hearing is now scheduled to proceed.
The club say their appeal is comprehensive, stating their "firm position is that, on multiple grounds, the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe."
City insist they remain "innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case".
Haaland's rallying cry
Looking ahead to their maiden match since the ruling and subsequent appeal, Haaland declared: "I think they [the City fans travelling to Anfield] are gonna have a good time. We have to stick together, we have to stay with each other, and we have to stay positive.
"No matter what happens in life, we always have to have a smile. We have to stay positive, look ahead and try to win football games and try to enjoy the situation and win the game."
"We have to stick together, and we have to spread the love to each other. So yeah, stick together, enjoy the ride and smile."
Special connection
Discussing his connection with the club and England, where he was born, Haaland said: "I care a lot about this place - the UK generally. My mother [Gry Marita Braut], as well [as my father, Alf-Inge Haaland], lived here for ten years - they lived in Nottingham and Leeds. They never lived in Manchester, but obviously, my father trained over at Carrington every day [while playing for City].
"I spent my first four years here, my brother [Astor] nine and my sister [Gabrielle] six, so it's a special place for us."
"I care a lot about City, I have to say. I care a lot about the fans because I'm a fan myself - I feel with them as well."
Focusing back on the match, Haaland stated: "It's always special to play against Liverpool - I won there, drew there and lost. It's always special - every Premier League game is different, and every Premier League game against Liverpool is special."
