Man City hit by wave of Anfield vitriol as Liverpool fans make feelings fiercely clear

· Mirror

Manchester City are in action for the first time since the Premier League found them guilty of 114 charges - and Liverpool fans have not wasted any time in making their feelings known

Manchester City hadn't even stepped onto the pitch and the vitriol was dripping from all corners of Anfield.

"You cheating bas, you know what you are" came the unified chants from Liverpool supporters. City were also peppered with songs relating to them going down.

Gianluigi Donnarumma and his goalkeeping understudy Geronimo Rulli had got a taste of things to come, when running out warm up to loud boos and geers.

The focus of attention was inside the ground closer to kick off. But outside Anfield, Scouse vendors had seized the chance to profit from City's downfall.

Stalls were littered with scarves, T-shirts and flags reminding the fallen champions of their guilt.

One scarf proclaimed 'Shamchester City - The Cheats', while a huge flag displayed a picture of Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland and the rest dressed in prison uniforms looking miserable.

Few do dark humour better than the people of Merseyside. Traveling City fans brought some banners of their own. The most notable one unfurled in the away section said: 'In Khaldoon We Trust - We've Won It All.'

A reference to City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, who is leading his club's appeal and insists there is evidence to prove their innocence.

More booing echoed around Anfield when Haaland and his team-mates came out to warm up. Haaland appeared unfazed. But the toughest test was still to come.

City's players looked focused like never before, but the noise ahead of kick was incredible. And impossible to ignore. "Cheats, cheats, cheats" rang in their ears like a big base drum.

The Liverpool anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' provided some light relief from the abuse. But there was no doubting City were all alone here. Ruben Dias barked out the instructions to his team-mates in the huddle. And then battle commenced.

One which would prove to be more mental than physical, where the visitors were concerned.

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