Manchester City received a predictably hostile Anfield greeting as they faced Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
City’s players were subject to heavy boos, jeers and mocking chants and banners in what was their first match since the club were found guilty last month by an independent commission of all charges related to serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules over a nine-season period between 2009/10 and 2017/18. City deny the charges and have launched an appeal.
Alternative route to the stadium
The intense reception outside Anfield did not materialise as expected despite plenty of Liverpool fans lining the usual route to make their feelings clear, with City’s team bus having taken an alternative journey to the stadium in an apparent bid to avoid any potential disorder.
The City bus did not travel down the Anfield Road as it usually would, where many Liverpool supporters had gathered in wait, instead entering the staff and contractors’ entrance at Anfield.
There were previous incidents of the City team bus being damaged en route to Anfield, most notably before a Champions League quarter-final tie between the clubs in April 2018.
Banners and chants inside Anfield
However, their players could not be shielded from the vitriolic atmosphere once inside Anfield, with plenty of boos and whistles heard as soon as they emerged from the tunnel to warm-up, along with chants accusing City of being “cheats”.
Liverpool fans also made their anger felt with a series of banners dotted around Anfield, which carried slogans such as: “A generation of supporters cheated,” and “And after all, you really robbed us all.”
Others banners - many of which referenced song lyrics by famous Manchester City fans Oasis - read: “All of your stars are fading away,” and “Look back in anger, Shamchester.”
Ahead of the game, independent merchandise sellers had been selling flags and scarves featuring many mocking references to City’s charges.
Balloons and playlist references
There were also balloons seen inside the ground with the numbers 114 and 115, referencing the number of charges City were found guilty of, having been cleared on one.
The pre-match playlist also included songs such as ‘It’s not right but it’s OK’ by Whitney Houston and Calvin Harris’ ‘Blame’.
The away end at Anfield, meanwhile, was full of inflatable bananas as City fans revived a tradition that dates back to the 1980s in an apparent show of support during their current predicament.
City boss and defender speak ahead of kick-off
“The mood is good, the mindset is good, and now it’s time to start the game, finally,” City boss Enzo Maresca said ahead of kick-off.
“It’s very important, the mix between the players, the fans, everyone. We are away in a complicated environment, complicated stadium, but we’re going to try to do our best to win the game.”
City defender Marc Guehi added: “It’s always a hot atmosphere here so it’s nothing different from any other game. Everyone’s got a big part to play. I think the togetherness of the team will show today.”
