Graeme Souness believes Liverpool have a case to argue that some of Manchester City's Premier League titles should be handed to them. The Reds icon says their legacy will be eradicated if their appeal over being found guilty of 114 charges fails.
City have been found guilty of almost all of their 115 charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations. The Premier League raised a legal case that alleged the club had committed breaches between 2009 and 2018.
Liverpool rivalled the North West club during a period where they won one top-flight title and were beaten by City to the summit, despite earning more than 90 points.
Souness: 'The legacy is gone'
The former Reds boss and captain has made an argument that the honours in which the Etihad Stadium club won in that period should be given to their challengers.
He said: "The legacy is gone. If it goes the wrong way for them they'll be consigned to history that they were cheats and whatever they did, whatever they won in that period, should not count.
"There's an argument for Liverpool to have a couple of Premier Leagues given to them. 'For them [City] to be stripped of whatever they've won in that period of time, for them... money's not an issue.
"So whatever fine is just like a scratch on the surface. Relegation [as an option]... I don't know.
"But I come back to it. I think this is going to open a can of worms, which I think may go well beyond the realms of football."
Premier League recommendations due
The Times has reported on Monday that the Premier League will make recommendations to an independent commission on the punishments it believes are warranted for City.
A three-person commission will hold a hearing to decide upon which punishments will be imposed on the club, with it set to last a number of weeks.
Among the possible sanctions, it has been said that the Premier League could seek a hefty points-deduction which could effectively lead to relegation given the nature of the offences. City's non-cooperation during the investigation has been said to be a negative factor against City.
Ongoing dispute
The outcome of the legal dispute has been hanging over City for some time after the investigation began following financial document leaks in November 2018.
It has been ongoing throughout the tenure of Pep Guardiola, where he guided them to Premier League supremacy and earned their first European title after beating Inter Milan in 2023.
City released a statement which said: "The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality.
"As such Manchester City FC's position remains consistent with the club's statement of February 2023.
"The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence."
