Manchester City's trip to Liverpool on Sunday arrives with the club still processing a guilty verdict in its long-running financial fair play case.
The verdict, reached after years of investigation, has been appealed. It is the first match back since that news broke, and the backdrop could hardly be more awkward.
City travel to Anfield with Enzo Maresca's side looking to respond, but the manager has selection concerns. Erling Haaland was withdrawn during a recent Nations League match due to exhaustion and has been given several days off in the hope he recovers. Whether he starts or not, the striker's record against Liverpool is patchy: in three of the last five meetings, he has scored once. He did provide an assist in the most recent encounter, though.
Antoine Semenyo is another doubt. The winger missed international duty with Ghana because of swelling in his leg. His City career is barely underway — he drew a blank on his first appearance — but his Anfield record is worth noting. In August 2025, while still a Bournemouth player, he scored twice there.
If the game turns into a shootout, it would buck a recent trend. Not since November 2015 have these sides combined for more than three first-half goals, when Liverpool led 3-1. The last time even three goals arrived before the break was April 2022, when the clubs managed that feat twice in six days.
For City, the priority is steadying the ship. The appeal will run its course, but on the pitch there are points to be won. Anfield has rarely been generous.