Manchester City defeated 10-man Liverpool 3-0 to maintain their three-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Second-half goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki sealed City’s emphatic victory after Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch was sent off for two yellow cards.
The result extended City’s flawless start under manager Enzo Maresca, but the club’s future remains uncertain as they appeal an independent commission’s findings on more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules.
The commission found that City and their Emirati owners had arranged what it described as “sham” deals to inflate revenues and reduce costs by more than £900 million ($1.2 billion) between 2009 and 2018.
No punishment has yet been imposed, but City could face a significant points deduction or even expulsion from the English top flight if their appeal fails. There has also been speculation about possible retrospective action to strip the club of titles won during the period under investigation.
The alleged breaches occurred during a period in which City won three Premier League titles and several other trophies.
Rivals have argued that the alleged financial misconduct helped lay the foundations for the club’s successful era under former manager Pep Guardiola, who left at the end of last season.
Liverpool were among the clubs most affected by City’s dominance, having finished second to them three times in the past 12 years.
“There are so many moments and memories we can’t get back,” Liverpool fan Martin Reilly, 23, told AFP. “They have to throw the book at them.”
City arrived at Anfield under a police escort amid expectations of a hostile reception. Liverpool supporters lined the streets, chanting “cheats” and “going down”, while merchandise stalls displayed flags and scarves mocking City’s financial controversy.
A banner at the famous Kop end read, “a generation of supporters cheated.”
The rivalry between Guardiola’s City and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool had become one of the Premier League’s defining contests in recent years. However, Liverpool failed to deliver on the pitch, suffering their first defeat under new manager Andoni Iraola.
Iraola’s options were weakened by the absence of injured players Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo.
Liverpool briefly threatened after the break when Lewis Koumas, making his first Premier League start, was denied a goal by City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
But City’s depth proved decisive. The club’s Abu Dhabi-backed takeover in 2008 transformed it from a mid-table side into one of English football’s dominant forces.
Early in the second half, substitute Doku was brought down by Gravenberch, who received a second yellow card in a decision Liverpool considered harsh.
The dismissal shifted the momentum firmly in City’s favour, and Liverpool struggled to recover with 10 men.
Haaland broke the deadlock 25 minutes from time, finishing a deflected effort from Doku to put City ahead.
Three minutes later, Doku produced a stunning curling strike into the top corner to double the visitors’ lead.
Cherki completed the scoring after exchanging a neat one-two with Josko Gvardiol before slotting the ball past Alisson Becker.
The emphatic victory strengthened City’s position at the top of the table, while the outcome of their financial appeal remains unresolved.