Manchester City were met with a wall of hostility at Anfield before their match against Liverpool, with home supporters unleashing chants of "You cheating bas*****, you know what you are" and songs referencing the club going down.
The abuse began during the warm-up, as goalkeepers Gianluigi Donnarumma and Geronimo Rulli were loudly booed and jeered. Outside the ground, vendors capitalised on City's predicament, selling scarves, T-shirts and flags that reminded the fallen champions of their guilt.
Merchandise mocks City
One scarf proclaimed 'Shamchester City - The Cheats', while a large flag depicted Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland and other players dressed in prison uniforms. Traveling City fans responded with their own banner in the away section, reading: 'In Khaldoon We Trust - We've Won It All.'
The banner referenced City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, who is leading the club's appeal and insists there is evidence to prove their innocence.
Hostile atmosphere builds
Further booing greeted Haaland and his team-mates as they emerged for the warm-up, though Haaland appeared unfazed. The noise before kick-off was described as incredible, with chants of "Cheats, cheats, cheats" ringing around the ground.
The Liverpool anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' offered some relief from the abuse, but it was clear City were alone in enemy territory. Ruben Dias barked instructions to his team-mates in the huddle before battle commenced - one that proved more mental than physical for the visitors.
