Five pundits predict Liverpool vs Man City as legal chaos overshadows clash

2026-10-11 · Mirror

Opinions are divided on who will emerge victorious at Anfield in Manchester City's first game since they were found guilty of 114 financial charges

A blockbuster clash between Liverpool and Manchester City has been made even bigger by developments during the international break. Enzo Maresca's side are back in action for the first time since the club were found guilty of 114 of 115 charges brought against them by an independent commission on behalf of the Premier League.

They couldn't be heading to Merseyside at a much worse time given the tension surrounding both clubs. Liverpool fans will feel personally aggrieved following the news, as they were beaten in three tight title races by their upcoming opponents.

Maresca has previewed the blockbuster clash by backing his players to handle the hostile atmosphere, stating it is the team's "duty" to try and win the game. He said: "Yeah it will be a tough game, Liverpool, for sure. A test, as you said. We need to be ready, the focus needs to be about the game but we know the environment in Anfield.

> "It probably will be worse because of the situation, but again it will be our duty to do our best and try to win the game. Absolutely they can face the pressure, absolutely. We have players that they already experience similar situations. Enzo Fernandez is playing in Argentina. In Argentina it's almost every game to go to Anfield. So it's not a problem."

Here, Mirror Football has detailed what some of the top pundits predict will happen.

Chris Sutton - City win

Discussing the fixture in his BBC Sport column, Chris Sutton believes that City will be boosted rather than deterred. He said: "I've heard people suggest that City's players will be frazzled because of what is going on with the club off the pitch, but I don't see it that way.

> "I suspect that, along with the City fans, there will be this siege mentality now where they think, 'Everyone hates us, everyone wants us to lose, everyone wants us to be relegated,' even if I don't think that is actually the case, because there are actually a lot of balanced football fans out there.

> "City are likely to get a hostile reception at Anfield but I think they will be able to handle it. Liverpool are still a work in progress under Andoni Iraola too. They have not convinced me so far when I've watched them this season.

> "Based on all of that, I am going for City here. I can just picture Erling Haaland scoring their winner, and celebrating with a big grin on his face."

Alan Shearer - Liverpool win

Alan Shearer has been left dumbfounded by the recent chaos at City and believes there is no better game for fans to sink their teeth into. He told Betfair: "You couldn't write the script, could you? That Man City face Liverpool at Anfield in their first game back after being found guilty of the 115 charges.

> "It'll be hostile because Liverpool will feel robbed of what's gone on over the years. I mean, it's a big enough atmosphere anyway, always at Anfield, but it'll be turned up a notch or three this weekend. There's no doubt about it and this is the game everyone will be watching because of what's going to happen with the atmosphere.

> "It'll be a fascinating one. I don't know, but I think I'm going to go for a Liverpool home win. God knows where City might be next season. It might be the last time that they go to Anfield for a while. I don't know. We don't know. We'll have to wait and see.

> "But, again, it's always the fans that suffer. I know the City fans have travelled here, there and everywhere all around the world and supported their team and had great success, and again through no fault of their own they're the ones that are going to be suffering too."

Gabby Agbonlahor - Liverpool win

Gabby Agbonlahor previewed the big fixture alongside Ally McCoist on talkSPORT, suggesting this could be one of the biggest games in history for viewers. Predicting a Liverpool victory, he said: "Could it be the most-watched Premier League game ever?

> "It could be, you know. I think because of the controversy behind it, everyone's going to want to see how they react. I'm expecting from Liverpool fans, this could be a sore reception for a team bus. You know when they've had big European games."

Discussing Liverpool being affected, he continued: "Exactly, how many more league titles would they have won. They can be a frosty fanbase. If you're Iraola, you're saying right from the first second of the game, don't even mess around with the ball at the back.

> "Be on them. If Liverpool get an early goal, that fanbase behind them as well, it's going to be an incredible game. [City will] either be galvanised or will crumble."

Jason Cundy - Man City win

The only other person on this list backing City is ex-Premier League defender Jason Cundy. The talkSPORT pundit claims he wouldn't be shocked if City got a result at Anfield.

Speaking before it was known that Haaland would be fit for the fixture after being asked to be substituted in Norway's final Nations League fixture, Cundy said: "Well, look, there is a chance that they go into that game without Haaland.

> "And you know, it would not surprise me one little bit if Man City go there and get a result. And when I say get a result, I mean go there and win. Wouldn't surprise me at all."

Peter Crouch - Liverpool win

Peter Crouch previewed the "monster" clash on his That Peter Crouch Podcast, backing his former side for victory. He said: "It's Liverpool vs Manchester City. It's at Anfield. It's just after all the charges have been confirmed. It's going to be a hostile atmosphere."

Mentioning City being favourites with the bookies, Crouch continued: "Which I find mad. I mean, are they going to be galvanised?

> "Liverpool at Anfield, in my opinion, they're not the favourites. It makes it a strange one, I don't know. I'm going to go with 3-1 to Liverpool."

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