The hostility question facing Liverpool before City arrive

Anfield on Sunday was always going to be loud. Liverpool against Manchester City rarely needs extra spice, but this one has it anyway, coming so soon after City were found guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules. That verdict has changed the temperature around this fixture. Liverpool have history with City from the title races of the last decade, so a hostile reception should surprise nobody. The real question is whether that hostility actually helps Liverpool, or simply gives a City squad built for pressure exactly the chip on the shoulder they thrive on.

Does a furious crowd cut both ways?

It is tempting to assume a raging away end automatically works in the home side’s favour. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it backfires badly. Sam Allardyce made that case plainly, arguing that a volatile away crowd gives a team like City a spur rather than a setback, and that real pressure only bites when your own supporters turn on you. He is not wrong. City’s squad has spent years performing in front of hostile crowds under enormous scrutiny, and if Liverpool fans think noise alone wins second balls and territory, they are likely to be disappointed.

Injury concerns add to the difficulty

Away from the emotional side of things, Liverpool have a more practical problem heading into this one. Both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are expected to miss out, which removes a significant chunk of attacking quality at exactly the wrong moment. That matters more given how City have started the season. Five wins from five has taken the edge off the early questions around Enzo Maresca, who has inherited a squad that still knows how to control a match, manage tempo and punish mistakes when they arrive.

Why this is about more than three points

There is a wider layer to Sunday too. If City travel to Anfield, ride out the anger and still win, the symbolism will sting well beyond Merseyside, reinforcing the sense that even with the financial case hanging over them, they remain the team to beat. Liverpool know this stadium better than most visitors ever will though, and Anfield has a habit of tilting matches when the home side gives supporters something concrete to rally behind, an early tackle, a sustained spell of pressure, a fast start. That is really what Sunday comes down to. Not whether Liverpool can be angry enough, but whether they can turn that anger into control. Get it right and Anfield becomes a genuine weapon. Get it wrong and City may end up enjoying every minute of the backlash.