Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has expressed concerns over the "uncertainty" regarding Manchester City's potential punishment for financial breaches, but is convinced his players won't be affected by off-field distractions when they face City at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
The game is the first for the Etihad outfit since an independent commission determined they were guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules over a period between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons. City deny wrongdoing and have submitted an appeal, which will be heard before any sanctions can be meted out, meaning there is a chance their ongoing fixtures may count for little come the end of the season depending on the punishment.
Iraola: Uncertainty is not good for anyone
Iraola said: "I've said it before, the worst thing probably is the uncertainty. No one knows what's going to happen. We have to focus on Liverpool and being the best club we can be, the best team we can be. That's my challenge."
"Uncertainty is not good for anyone involved. But the process is ongoing and we have to be patient like everyone else and see what happens."
Asked if he was surprised by the commission's findings, Iraola responded: "We don't know about the situation so I don't think it is fair to give an opinion. They (the commission) have spent the time they've spent analysing everything."
"They have taken a lot of time so they are the ones who have to give a lot of answers. My opinion is not valid because I haven't spent that time and I haven't read as much as they've done."
Players focused on the pitch
A volatile atmosphere is expected at Anfield on Sunday, although Iraola is adamant his players will not be influenced by matters outside of the match itself.
"I think the challenge of the game is so high that I don't think players think too much outside of this," said the Reds boss. "They are thinking 'I have to mark this player' or 'I have to go and deal with this one' or 'I have be at this level because the level of the game is so high'."
"They will be focused on those things. Obviously they will have their own opinions but I think they will be fully focused on what happens on the pitch.
"When you play these games, the emotion is always going to be big, especially at Anfield. We want to give supporters reasons to create an even better atmosphere."
