Manchester City face Liverpool test after financial ruling as rivals seek revival

Manchester City travel to Liverpool on Sunday for their first match since being found guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules.

The Premier League leaders have appealed against the findings and insist they are innocent. However, their position in the division is at risk after an independent commission ruled that “sham” sponsorship agreements had been used to increase revenue and cut costs by more than £900m ($1.2bn).

Liverpool will hope the uncertainty surrounding City can help revive their own campaign, while Manchester United and Tottenham meet at Old Trafford with both clubs in urgent need of a victory. Arsenal, meanwhile, will attempt to recover from a rare defeat when they host Leeds.

The fixture at Anfield has developed into English football’s defining contest over the past decade. City’s rise since their Abu Dhabi-backed takeover 18 years ago has come at Liverpool’s expense, with Jurgen Klopp’s side twice finishing runners-up to Pep Guardiola’s team despite collecting more than 90 points.

The charges relate to the period from 2009 to 2018, but the strength City established during those years helped them remain the Premier League’s leading side for much of Guardiola’s subsequent spell in charge.

City have won every match since Enzo Maresca replaced Guardiola. Their pursuit of another title is now expected to be affected by a possible sanction unless they succeed with their appeal against the commission’s verdict.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola remains unbeaten since taking charge, although draws with Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Fulham have left the Reds six points from first place.

“I think it’s a big game and I think everyone is expecting to play, to watch, to be part of that game,” said Iraola.

“We know we will have to be at our best and also I know that the people will be looking to help the team.”

Pressure builds at Old Trafford

The City case has also overshadowed a poor opening to the season for Manchester United. They have collected only five points from their first five matches, a return that had appeared unlikely given the initial schedule, and now face a demanding run of fixtures.

Michael Carrick, who was given the United job on a permanent basis only months ago, is the latest manager to come under pressure to revive the fortunes of the struggling English giants.

After Tottenham’s visit on Saturday, United face Atletico Madrid, Leeds and Como across a nine-day period. Chelsea, Roma and Aston Villa are also on the schedule before next month’s international break.

Tottenham spent more than £300m on new players during the transfer window but remained bottom of the table during the international break after taking only two points from their opening five games.

Defending champions Arsenal host Leeds in Saturday’s early kick-off, seeking a response to their 3-0 defeat by Brighton, which ended their perfect start.

The developments in the City case have strengthened Arsenal’s position as bookmakers’ favourites to retain the title. Manager Mikel Arteta extended his contract until 2030 this week and said winning the club’s first league title in 22 years should mark the start of a successful era.

“This is only the beginning of what we can achieve together,” said the Spaniard.