The Premier League has confirmed that Chris Kavanagh will referee Sunday's match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield. It will be City's first game since an independent three-man panel found the club guilty of breaching financial rules over a nine-season period.
City's first match since financial ruling
The panel found that City hid more than £900million, though the club has always insisted it is innocent and has appealed against the decision. The timing of the appeal outcome has not been communicated, but in the meantime City's first outing since the announcement will be against Liverpool, managed by Enzo Maresca.
Dan Cook and Nick Greenhalgh will assist Kavanagh at Anfield. Andy Madley is the fourth official, while Paul Howard and Nick Hopton will serve as VAR and assistant VAR, respectively.
Recent clashes between the sides
City completed the double over Liverpool in the 2025/26 season, also eliminating them from the FA Cup quarter-finals. They won 4-0 at the Etihad before a late Erling Haaland penalty secured victory at Anfield later in the season. Dominik Szoboszlai was sent off in that match for fouling Haaland.
That victory was City's first league win at Liverpool since February 2021, and those two wins at Anfield remain City's only league triumphs at Liverpool since 2003.
