ANFIELD ANARCHY: Repeat of 2018? Police on high alert as Liverpool fans plot hostile 'Sea of Red' bus greeting for Man City with flares, pyros, and deadly glass bottles
Manchester City's first match since the verdict in the Premier League's financial case will take them to one of the most hostile grounds they could have faced this weekend. With Liverpool supporters already discussing a hostile pre-match bus greeting at Anfield, Merseyside Police have confirmed that a security operation will be in place, while City's players are preparing for a reception that could follow them well beyond the final whistle.
Liverpool fans plan a bus greeting before kick-off
Social media posts circulating among Liverpool supporters have called for fans to gather along Anfield Road before Sunday's Premier League meeting, with one message encouraging people to bring “flags, banners, pyros, flares and Koppabergs (a popular cider served in a heavy glass bottle).” to the planned bus greeting.
Merseyside Police have confirmed that they are aware of the posts and will have an appropriate policing plan in place around the stadium.
“As with all Premier League fixtures at Anfield, we will have officers on duty at the ground, both uniformed and plain clothed, supported by mobile CCTV and specialist resources including mounted police,” the force said.
“We are aware of social media posts regarding a bus welcome. We want fans to enjoy a safe and memorable afternoon, and anyone committing offences will be dealt with appropriately.”
The warning comes as City prepare for their first match since an independent commission found them guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules. The club has consistently maintained its innocence, insisting it has a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” to support its position.
Manager Enzo Maresca has also said that City's owners remain convinced they will win their appeal against the verdict, although the case is likely to remain a major talking point whenever the team travels away from home.
Gary Neville expects a hostile reception at Anfield
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes City's players will encounter an unusually hostile atmosphere when they arrive on Merseyside, with the financial case likely to feature prominently in the chants and banners around the ground.
“If they want an understanding of how angry the game is going to be, then Anfield will tell them like you would never believe,” Neville said on The Overlap podcast.
“I suspect there may be banners, there will certainly be chanting. There will be a reception like you have never seen for them at Anfield...it will be a brutal day.”
Manchester City's chief writer Simon Bajkowski made a similar point in the Manchester Evening News, describing Anfield as an especially difficult place for the club to visit immediately after the verdict.
“Anfield is probably the worst ground they could have asked for first up after the news that the club have been found guilty of nearly all of the counts in the 115 case, yet there are plenty of Liverpool fans who are already playing down expectations,” Bajkowski wrote.
“It will flare up at away games in particular, where for tens of thousands of fans it will be their only opportunity of the season to get their feelings across in person.”
“It is not going to be pretty, but it will be a surprise if it catches the players off guard given how used to the abuse they are.”
City striker Erling Haaland, meanwhile, has urged supporters to remain united rather than allow the controversy to affect the team.
“I think they [the City fans travelling to Anfield] are gonna have a good time,” Haaland said through City's media channel. “We have to stick together. We have to stay with each other, and we have to stay positive.”
“No matter what happens in life, we always have to have a smile. We have to stay positive, look ahead and try to win football games and try to enjoy the situation and win the game.”
Haaland added: “We have to stick together, and we have to spread the love to each other. So yeah, stick together, enjoy the ride and smile.”
The memory of City's damaged bus still hangs over Anfield
This will not be the first time Manchester City's team bus has faced trouble on its way to Anfield, with the Champions League quarter-final between the two clubs in April 2018 still a particularly uncomfortable reminder.
Liverpool supporters had been warned against using flares and smoke bombs ahead of the match, the Reds were fined €20,000 (£17,500) by UEFA after supporters threw missiles at City’s coach before the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Anfield, smashing a window. Liverpool issued an immediate apology for the incident, while Merseyside Police launched a full investigation.
City must block out the noise as the season continues
The timing adds another complication for Manchester City, who now face a season in which the financial case is likely to follow them from one away ground to another. Anfield offers Liverpool supporters an immediate opportunity to make their feelings known, and the club's players will have to manage that atmosphere while preparing for a demanding Premier League contest.
This backdrop intensifies the sporting stakes on the pitch: Enzo Maresca's perfect Manchester City squad looks to extend their flawless five-game winning streak, while an unbeaten but draw-heavy Liverpool side tries to bridge the early six-point gap and disrupt the league leaders.
Maresca's side have maintained that they will appeal the commission's verdict, with the club's owners confident of overturning the decision. Haaland's message to supporters has been to stay together and concentrate on winning matches, rather than allow events away from the pitch to define the team.
Liverpool and Manchester City meet at Anfield on Sunday, October 11, with kick-off scheduled for 4:30 PM BST, or 9:00 PM IST for viewers in India. Before the match begins, however, the police operation around the stadium and the planned bus greeting will already have put the focus on how the teams and supporters handle a charged afternoon.
Liverpool fans plan a bus greeting before kick-off
Social media posts circulating among Liverpool supporters have called for fans to gather along Anfield Road before Sunday's Premier League meeting, with one message encouraging people to bring “flags, banners, pyros, flares and Koppabergs (a popular cider served in a heavy glass bottle).” to the planned bus greeting.
Merseyside Police have confirmed that they are aware of the posts and will have an appropriate policing plan in place around the stadium.
“As with all Premier League fixtures at Anfield, we will have officers on duty at the ground, both uniformed and plain clothed, supported by mobile CCTV and specialist resources including mounted police,” the force said.
“We are aware of social media posts regarding a bus welcome. We want fans to enjoy a safe and memorable afternoon, and anyone committing offences will be dealt with appropriately.”
The warning comes as City prepare for their first match since an independent commission found them guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules. The club has consistently maintained its innocence, insisting it has a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” to support its position.
Manager Enzo Maresca has also said that City's owners remain convinced they will win their appeal against the verdict, although the case is likely to remain a major talking point whenever the team travels away from home.
Gary Neville expects a hostile reception at Anfield
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes City's players will encounter an unusually hostile atmosphere when they arrive on Merseyside, with the financial case likely to feature prominently in the chants and banners around the ground.
“If they want an understanding of how angry the game is going to be, then Anfield will tell them like you would never believe,” Neville said on The Overlap podcast.
“I suspect there may be banners, there will certainly be chanting. There will be a reception like you have never seen for them at Anfield...it will be a brutal day.”
Manchester City's chief writer Simon Bajkowski made a similar point in the Manchester Evening News, describing Anfield as an especially difficult place for the club to visit immediately after the verdict.
“Anfield is probably the worst ground they could have asked for first up after the news that the club have been found guilty of nearly all of the counts in the 115 case, yet there are plenty of Liverpool fans who are already playing down expectations,” Bajkowski wrote.
“It will flare up at away games in particular, where for tens of thousands of fans it will be their only opportunity of the season to get their feelings across in person.”
“It is not going to be pretty, but it will be a surprise if it catches the players off guard given how used to the abuse they are.”
City striker Erling Haaland, meanwhile, has urged supporters to remain united rather than allow the controversy to affect the team.
“I think they [the City fans travelling to Anfield] are gonna have a good time,” Haaland said through City's media channel. “We have to stick together. We have to stay with each other, and we have to stay positive.”
“No matter what happens in life, we always have to have a smile. We have to stay positive, look ahead and try to win football games and try to enjoy the situation and win the game.”
Haaland added: “We have to stick together, and we have to spread the love to each other. So yeah, stick together, enjoy the ride and smile.”
The memory of City's damaged bus still hangs over Anfield
Liverpool supporters had been warned against using flares and smoke bombs ahead of the match, the Reds were fined €20,000 (£17,500) by UEFA after supporters threw missiles at City’s coach before the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Anfield, smashing a window. Liverpool issued an immediate apology for the incident, while Merseyside Police launched a full investigation.
City must block out the noise as the season continues
The timing adds another complication for Manchester City, who now face a season in which the financial case is likely to follow them from one away ground to another. Anfield offers Liverpool supporters an immediate opportunity to make their feelings known, and the club's players will have to manage that atmosphere while preparing for a demanding Premier League contest.
This backdrop intensifies the sporting stakes on the pitch: Enzo Maresca's perfect Manchester City squad looks to extend their flawless five-game winning streak, while an unbeaten but draw-heavy Liverpool side tries to bridge the early six-point gap and disrupt the league leaders.
Maresca's side have maintained that they will appeal the commission's verdict, with the club's owners confident of overturning the decision. Haaland's message to supporters has been to stay together and concentrate on winning matches, rather than allow events away from the pitch to define the team.
Liverpool and Manchester City meet at Anfield on Sunday, October 11, with kick-off scheduled for 4:30 PM BST, or 9:00 PM IST for viewers in India. Before the match begins, however, the police operation around the stadium and the planned bus greeting will already have put the focus on how the teams and supporters handle a charged afternoon.
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