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Manchester City head to Anfield on Sunday as slight favourites to beat Liverpool, despite the huge off-field controversy surrounding the club following the verdict in their long-running financial rules case.
During the international break, an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League relating to alleged financial breaches and failures to cooperate with the league's investigation between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.
City have appealed against the verdict, meaning the case is not yet concluded. The club maintains that the commission's decision contains significant errors and continues to deny the allegations.
However, the controversy has done little to change City's impressive start to the current Premier League campaign.
City Have Made A Perfect Start
Manchester City currently sit at the top of the Premier League table, having won all five of their opening matches.
Enzo Maresca has overseen a perfect start to his time as City manager, with his side establishing themselves as the early pace-setters. They will now attempt to make it six wins from six when they travel to Anfield.
The timing of the fixture could hardly be more intriguing. City will be playing their first match since the commission's verdict was announced, while the players will have spent much of the international break answering questions about an issue that could ultimately have major consequences for the club.
Maresca is expected to address the verdict with his squad when the players return to training ahead of Sunday's match.
Exactly how the situation will affect the current players remains to be seen, particularly with the potential sporting consequences still unresolved.
Liverpool Have Long Been City's Biggest Rivals
There is also plenty of history between these two clubs.
Liverpool were arguably the team that pushed Manchester City hardest during their period of Premier League dominance. The Reds have finished as runners-up to City on three occasions since 2014, creating one of the defining rivalries of the modern Premier League era.
That history should ensure there is no shortage of intensity at Anfield.
Liverpool supporters have already had plenty to say about the financial case, while City's players will be aware that they are likely to receive a particularly hostile reception when they step onto the pitch.
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has predicted an exceptionally difficult atmosphere for City, while Merseyside Police have confirmed that an appropriate policing operation will be in place for the fixture.
For Liverpool, beating City would therefore mean more than simply collecting three points. It would give the home supporters the opportunity to make their feelings known while also denting the leaders' perfect start.
Bookies Still Make City Slight Favourites
Despite everything happening away from the pitch, the bookmakers have not been put off Manchester City's chances.
Reputable UK sportsbooks like Bet442 still have Manchester City as slight favourites ahead of the clash on Sunday.
Those prices underline just how highly City's performances this season are being regarded.
Liverpool are unbeaten and have produced some strong defensive displays, but draws against Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Fulham have left them six points behind City after five matches.
The market therefore appears to be placing greater emphasis on City's perfect start than the turmoil surrounding the club.
A Huge Test For Maresca And City
Sunday's meeting could provide the first indication of whether the financial verdict has any immediate impact on Manchester City's performances.
The potential consequences of the case could be enormous, with the Premier League's disciplinary process allowing for sanctions including fines, points deductions and other sporting penalties. However, City's appeal means there is currently considerable uncertainty over what, if any, punishment will ultimately be imposed.
For now, Maresca and his players have a much simpler task: concentrate on football.
City have won five out of five, sit top of the Premier League and are still slight favourites to beat their old rivals at Anfield. But with the financial verdict providing an unprecedented backdrop to one of English football's biggest fixtures, this could be one of the most fascinating meetings between Liverpool and Manchester City in recent years.
- Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com
