A disappointing result but thank you for your support at Anfield today 👏 pic.twitter.com/CrRIkzthMn
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 11, 2026
20:08 – Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said he would share his thoughts on City’s off-field issues after the result of their appeal has been made public. Van Dijk told Sky Sports: “The only thing I can say, because it’s ongoing, is that I have really enjoyed the rivalry. But that is on the pitch, what has happened off the pitch is a totally different story. Because it’s still ongoing, it’s not a good idea for me to comment on this. When it’s properly settled I will definitely share my comments on it, but for now let’s wait and see.”
Liverpool fans made the feelings known (Peter Byrne/PA).
18:47 – Asked about the booing from Liverpool fans, Anderson added: “It was definitely more than normal, arriving in and the first 10 minutes of the game, but I thought we did really well to quieten the crowd.” Haaland, though, argued it was not that different to a regular game at Anfield, saying: “Not really, it’s always tough to come here. With the Pep (Guardiola) and (Jurgen) Klopp era, it was so tough for both teams. It’s about these times, stay strong mentally, stick together and do what you can do something about, and what we can do something about is to play good football and to fight together.”
Erling Haaland celebrates at full-time (Peter Byrne/PA).
18:45 – Haaland spoke of his pride in City’s performance and response to the noise surrounding the game, telling Sky Sports: “For every single fan, this is a lovely moment which will stay with us for a long time when it comes to the feeling after the game and in the game. It was tough and it was hard, but we showed amazing character. I’m so proud of everyone.” Midfielder Elliot Anderson added: “I think we’ve shown real togetherness and fight. It’s a tough place to come and it’s challenging and we really stuck together out there, fought for each other and played well as well. I think we’ve shown courage here.”
Manchester City fans celebrated another victory (Peter Byrne/PA).
18:30 – City’s delighted players and staff soaked in the applause of their fans at full-time, while Liverpool supporters continued to make their feelings clear. Speaking on Sky Sports, former City defender Micah Richards said: “All they could do was play football to the best of their ability. When you’re in a dressing room and there’s accusations gone in, to the players – and it’s not the club, it’s the players who are getting a lot of the abuse – they wanted to go there and put on a show. That’s exactly what they did today. We talked about how are they going to react to all the noise and that was just a perfect performance.”
A moment of individual brilliance from Rayan Cherki to put the game beyond all doubt 🤯 pic.twitter.com/wvmTMZcGhW
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 11, 2026
18:07 – Things got even worse for Liverpool in the 78th minute when Rayan Cherki added City’s third.
Erling Haaland celebrates Manchester City’s opener (Peter Byrne/PA).
17:56 – The mood of Liverpool fans did not improve when the game turned decisively in City’s favour midway through the second half. First midfielder Ryan Gravenberch was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Moments later Erling Haaland clinically swept the visitors into the lead, with the jubilant reaction of the City fans, including his father Alf Inge Haaland and Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher, contrasting with the jeers from the home ranks. Then three minutes later substitute Jeremy Doku sent a shot curling into the top corner to make it 2-0.
Liverpool and Manchester City players clash during a goalless first half (Peter Byrne/PA).
17:18 – Relentless booing greeted City possession during a first half in which neither side was able to make a breakthrough.
Man City team announcement drowned out by boos pic.twitter.com/RMSR4I9Nt7
— Carl Markham (@carlmarkham) October 11, 2026
16:29 – The announcement of City’s team was drowned out by boos, and more booing rang around the stadium after the two sides walked out. That was followed by a loud chant of ‘You cheating b******s, you know what you are’. A number of banners referenced lyrics from famous City fans Oasis, including ‘Sham Pain Supernova’, ‘All of your stars are fading away’ and ‘And after all, you really robbed us all’.
A banner on display an Anfield (Peter Byrne/PA).
16:13 – City players were loudly booed when they took to the Anfield turf for the warm-up. Among the banners in the crowd was one in the home stands reading ‘A generation of supporters cheated’. The pre-match playlist, meanwhile, which the Press Association understands was chosen by the players, included ‘It’s not right but it’s OK’ by Whitney Houston and Calvin Harris’ ‘Blame’.
Stewards and police escort a Manchester City bus (Peter Byrne/PA).
15:41 – City boss Enzo Maresca described the arrival at Anfield as “all good”, adding on Sky Sports: “The mood is good, the mindset is good, and now it’s time to start the game, finally. It’s very important, the mix between the players, the fans, everyone. We are away in a complicated environment, complicated stadium, but we’re going to try to do our best to win the game.”
Arriving at Anfield 📍
🤝 #AsahiSuperDry pic.twitter.com/YGZnLcvtAd
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 11, 2026
15:26 – Speaking ahead of the game, City and England defender Marc Guehi insisted it was business as usual. In an interview with Sky Sports, he said: “It’s always a hot atmosphere here so it’s nothing different from any other game. Everyone’s got a big part to play. I think the togetherness of the team will show today.”
Manchester City arrive at Anfield (Peter Byrne/PA).
15:14 – The Manchester City team avoided too hostile a reception as they arrived at Anfield. The visiting buses were brought in a different way to the one from Liverpool, meaning there were not hordes of fans waiting for them. Some shouts of ‘cheat’ could be heard as the two buses drove into Anfield but there were no scenes of disorder.
(Peter Byrne/PA)
14:58 – With kick-off now just 90 minutes away, fans are gathering in anticipation of the team buses arriving, with flares already being set off.
Merchandise being sold outside Anfield (Peter Byrne/PA)
13:52 – As fans start arriving at Anfield ahead of a 4.30pm kick-off, there is plenty of merchandise to be had relating to City’s breaches of Premier League financial regulations. A hostile atmosphere is expected, with City’s men’s team playing for the first time since it was announced that they had been found guilty. The club have lodged an appeal.