The Cauldron Awaiting Manchester City at Anfield

In December 2024, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City were trailing 2-0 away at Liverpool when the Anfield crowd began taunting the opposing manager: "You're getting sacked in the morning."

Nobody genuinely believed Guardiola would face the sack, but his side were staring down a remarkable fourth straight Premier League defeat. Guardiola could not resist responding, holding up six fingers to the Liverpool supporters to signify the six Premier League titles he had won with Manchester City.

Now, however, some may cast doubt over every single one of those titles after an independent commission found the club guilty of the majority of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League. On Friday, current City manager Enzo Maresca insisted the club's silverware was "definitely not tarnished", but on Sunday, he and his squad must face the new reality.

As if scripted, a trip to Anfield comes next, where a fiercely hostile atmosphere awaits—a stadium Guardiola always viewed as one of football's most unforgiving venues. Manchester City have won all five of their Premier League matches this season, and maintaining that 100% record would be a massive statement for Maresca.

For Andoni Iraola and Liverpool, however, this fixture presents the perfect chance to ignite their own campaign, fuelled by the extraordinary backstory that defines this modern rivalry.

"It's an exciting match," the Reds boss said. "We're at home, at Anfield, against a City side sitting top of the table after winning every game. We want to win, they want to win, and it will be an open contest. We must be ready. I hope we perform at the required level, because the standard will be extremely high."

Asked if these were the marquee encounters he relished when taking the Liverpool job, Iraola added:

"Yes, we're in this business to play games like this. We know it will be tough. They are a top side, but so are we."

For the first time since 2015, neither Jurgen Klopp nor Pep Guardiola will patrol the touchline for this fixture. Even so, an electric and combative atmosphere is expected, with Liverpool chairman Tom Werner attending the match.

Liverpool finished Premier League runners-up to Manchester City in 2013-14 under Brendan Rodgers, and again in 2018-19 and 2021-22. On those last two occasions, Klopp's side amassed 97 and 92 points respectively, yet missed out on the title by just a single point behind Guardiola's City both times.

The outcome of Manchester City's appeal is still pending. While the club continue to maintain their innocence, a deep sense of grievance persists among Liverpool supporters, former players, and staff.

"You think about the memories and successes you were unfairly robbed of," John Achterberg, who served as Liverpool's goalkeeping coach under Rodgers and Klopp, told The Athletic. "We won one Premier League title in 2019-20, but it could easily have been four, considering we fell just short of City three times by such tiny margins."

Iraola added:

"The hardest part is probably the uncertainty. Nobody knows what will happen next. We have to focus on Liverpool and on being the best club and the best team we can possibly be. That is my challenge."

Liverpool may have an age-old rivalry with the red half of Manchester, but ever since Manchester City's Abu Dhabi takeover in 2008, clashes between these two sides have rarely lacked drama on or off the pitch. In 2018, UEFA fined Liverpool €20,000 (£17,500) after supporters pelted the Manchester City team bus ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg at Anfield.

Liverpool went on to blow City away with three goals in 19 first-half minutes. Earlier that season, in January, Klopp's side had ended City's unbeaten league run in a breathless 4-3 thriller at Anfield.

"There's something about this ground that you won't find anywhere else in the world. They score a goal, and for the next five minutes you feel like you're going to concede another four. You feel small, and the opposition players seem to be everywhere," Guardiola admitted in 2019.

Merseyside Police confirmed a tailored policing plan will be in place for Sunday, but declined to provide operational specifics when contacted by BBC Sport.

There is growing anticipation that both team buses will be met by large crowds, with social media posts calling for an organised coach welcome along Anfield Road.

It is not yet known whether the coaches will take an alternative route—a measure previously used for high-risk fixtures at Anfield. Inside the ground, Liverpool supporters are renowned for their banners and flags, with plenty being prepared for Sunday. The pre-match playlist will also make for interesting listening.

One post on social media even encouraged fans to bring stacks of fake banknotes to wave.

Regarding matchday preparations, Liverpool's official stance remains that it is "business as usual", with police briefings and security reviews forming part of the standard protocol conducted ahead of every home game.

What is certain, however, is that Sunday promises an atmosphere and an occasion rarely matched in English football.

Analysis by Adam Patel for bbc.com