Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield in the Premier League this weekend, with City playing their first match since being found guilty of 114 of 115 financial charges by an independent commission on behalf of the Premier League. The build-up has been dominated by the fallout from that verdict, with pundits split on how the game will unfold.
Maresca Backs Players to Handle Anfield Atmosphere
City manager Enzo Maresca has previewed the clash by backing his players to cope with the hostile environment, calling it the team's "duty" to try and win the game. He said: "Yeah it will be a tough game, Liverpool, for sure. A test, as you said. We need to be ready, the focus needs to be about the game but we know the environment in Anfield.
"It probably will be worse because of the situation, but again it will be our duty to do our best and try to win the game. Absolutely they can face the pressure, absolutely. We have players that they already experience similar situations. Enzo Fernandez is playing in Argentina. In Argentina it's almost every game to go to Anfield. So it's not a problem."
Sutton and Cundy Back City
Chris Sutton, writing in his BBC Sport column, believes City will be boosted rather than deterred by the off-pitch turmoil. He said: "I've heard people suggest that City's players will be frazzled because of what is going on with the club off the pitch, but I don't see it that way.
"I suspect that, along with the City fans, there will be this siege mentality now where they think, 'Everyone hates us, everyone wants us to lose, everyone wants us to be relegated,' even if I don't think that is actually the case, because there are actually a lot of balanced football fans out there.
"City are likely to get a hostile reception at Anfield but I think they will be able to handle it. Liverpool are still a work in progress under Andoni Iraola too. They have not convinced me so far when I've watched them this season.
"Based on all of that, I am going for City here. I can just picture Erling Haaland scoring their winner, and celebrating with a big grin on his face."
Jason Cundy, speaking on talkSPORT, also backed City. He said: "Well, look, there is a chance that they go into that game without Haaland.
"And you know, it would not surprise me one little bit if Man City go there and get a result. And when I say get a result, I mean go there and win. Wouldn't surprise me at all."
Shearer, Agbonlahor and Crouch Predict Liverpool Win
Alan Shearer, speaking to Betfair, believes Liverpool will win. He said: "You couldn't write the script, could you? That Man City face Liverpool at Anfield in their first game back after being found guilty of the 115 charges.
"It'll be hostile because Liverpool will feel robbed of what's gone on over the years. I mean, it's a big enough atmosphere anyway, always at Anfield, but it'll be turned up a notch or three this weekend. There's no doubt about it and this is the game everyone will be watching because of what's going to happen with the atmosphere.
"It'll be a fascinating one. I don't know, but I think I'm going to go for a Liverpool home win. God knows where City might be next season. It might be the last time that they go to Anfield for a while. I don't know. We don't know. We'll have to wait and see.
"But, again, it's always the fans that suffer. I know the City fans have travelled here, there and everywhere all around the world and supported their team and had great success, and again through no fault of their own they're the ones that are going to be suffering too."
Gabby Agbonlahor, previewing the fixture on talkSPORT, also predicted a Liverpool victory. He said: "Could it be the most-watched Premier League game ever?
"It could be, you know. I think because of the controversy behind it, everyone's going to want to see how they react. I'm expecting from Liverpool fans, this could be a sore reception for a team bus. You know when they've had big European games.
"Exactly, how many more league titles would they have won. They can be a frosty fanbase. If you're Iraola, you're saying right from the first second of the game, don't even mess around with the ball at the back.
"Be on them. If Liverpool get an early goal, that fanbase behind them as well, it's going to be an incredible game. [City will] either be galvanised or will crumble."
Peter Crouch, on his That Peter Crouch Podcast, backed his former side for victory, predicting a 3-1 Liverpool win. He said: "It's Liverpool vs Manchester City. It's at Anfield. It's just after all the charges have been confirmed. It's going to be a hostile atmosphere.
"Which I find mad. I mean, are they going to be galvanised?
"Liverpool at Anfield, in my opinion, they're not the favourites. It makes it a strange one, I don't know. I'm going to go with 3-1 to Liverpool."
