Liverpool Round-Up, Friday 9th October: Man City's Guilty Verdict Dominates Build-Up to Huge Anfield Clash
The build-up to Sunday's huge Anfield clash with Manchester City has been dominated by the fallout from the Premier League's guilty verdict on the majority of City's 115 financial charges. Andoni Iraola addressed the situation in his press conference, saying "uncertainty is not good for anyone" as he looked ahead to facing the under-fire champions (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool Echo) (Liverpool.com) (This Is Anfield) (Liverpool Echo) (BBC Sport) (Liverpool.com) (The Guardian). Pundits have also had their say, with Jamie Carragher warning that any eventual punishment handed to City will only increase the pressure and expectation on Iraola at Liverpool (Liverpool.com). Gary Neville and Carragher also discussed how they believe Jurgen Klopp would have approached the fixture had he still been in charge (Liverpool.com), while Gary Neville separately raised a "worry" for Iraola ahead of the game, drawing on a past Manchester United experience (Liverpool.com).
On the City side, Enzo Maresca insisted his players remain undistracted by the verdict and will stay focused purely on the football, while also addressing Pep Guardiola's planned return to the Etihad for a different fixture next week (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool Echo) (Liverpool.com). City captain Vincent Kompany stressed that the current squad are "not a part of" any wrongdoing (This Is Anfield). Elsewhere, a Jurgen Klopp-era Liverpool coach claimed he had long suspected City held an "unfair advantage", and another Liverpool coaching voice said they "already knew" City were guilty, going as far as suggesting their titles should be voided (This Is Anfield) (Liverpool.com). Liverpool legend Phil Thompson has demanded a "severe" punishment for City and issued his own warning ahead of the game (Liverpool Echo), and Manchester United fans are reportedly planning to mock City with a revived Stretford End banner before Liverpool even get their chance at the Etihad club (Liverpool.com). Anfield itself is expected to be a cauldron for the occasion, with bus welcomes, banners and flags all anticipated as City make the trip (BBC Sport), and the Echo's Blood Red column previewing just how fierce the atmosphere is set to be (Liverpool Echo) (This Is Anfield).
On team matters, Iraola confirmed that both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are ruled out of the Man City game through injury after withdrawing from international duty (Liverpool.com) (This Is Anfield) (LiverpoolFC.com) (Liverpool Echo) (Liverpool Echo) (This Is Anfield). The head coach revealed his striker plans in their absence and said he "trusts" another forward to step up and fill the gap (Liverpool.com) (This Is Anfield). There was better news on Jeremy Jacquet, who has been confirmed fit, though Iraola was keen to stress the young defender "still has a long way to go" (Liverpool.com) (This Is Anfield). Federico Chiesa has also returned to training after his own spell out, with a Liverpool training ritual explained in the process (This Is Anfield). Overall, Liverpool and City could be missing a combined nine players for the clash once further fitness news on the likes of Erling Haaland is factored in (Liverpool.com). This Is Anfield's predicted XI piece also debated whether Bradley Barcola or Florian Wirtz should lead the line up front (This Is Anfield).
Away from the pitch, former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius revealed that he and his family received death threats following his costly mistakes in the 2018 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid (Liverpool.com). Former academy player Toni Silva claimed he suffered unfair treatment during his time at Anfield, insisting he was "much better than Raheem Sterling" (Liverpool Echo). On a lighter note, Virgil van Dijk poked fun at teammate Freddie Woodman's dramatic new look at training, warning him to "be careful" (Liverpool.com).
In other news, former Reds boss Arne Slot has taken up a new role with UEFA's Technical Observer Group, joining past Liverpool managers Rafa Benitez and Roy Hodgson in the group as he awaits a return to club management (Liverpool.com) (This Is Anfield). Liverpool great Emlyn Hughes' memorabilia collection, including shirts swapped with the likes of Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff, is expected to fetch around £500,000 at auction (BBC Sport) (Liverpool Echo). There was also a nostalgic moment at Anfield as the original "This Is Anfield" sign returned to L4, unveiled at the ARC Hotel by former European Cup-winning captain Phil Thompson, with the Shankly family welcoming its return (BBC Sport) (Liverpool Echo). Finally, for Fantasy Premier League managers, LiverpoolFC.com has previewed Alisson and the Reds' defence ahead of Gameweek 6 (LiverpoolFC.com).
This round-up is written with the help of AI, using only the day's headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.