Authorities in Merseyside are gearing up for potential trouble ahead of Sunday’s crucial Premier League clash between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield.
According to reports from The Sun, police are concerned that local fans may target Manchester City's team bus as it arrives. Calls for Liverpool supporters to gather at the stadium several hours before kick-off have been circulating on social media, with suggestions to 'welcome' the visitors' bus. Those behind these postings are encouraging fans to bring flags, banners, pyrotechnics, and alcohol.
The City bus has been a target for radical Liverpool fans in the past. The most notorious incident occurred in 2018 ahead of the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final, where the vehicle was pelted with bottles and bricks, leading to significant damage that prevented the team from returning to Manchester in it. No arrests were made that evening, but similar incidents have also been recorded in 2014 and 2022.
Police representatives have confirmed they are aware of online publications and assured that a detailed security plan is in place for Sunday’s match. In 2024, the visitors' bus was escorted to the stadium without incident, thanks to a change in the route and increased police presence.
Liverpool has stated to the BBC that preparations for the match are proceeding smoothly. The club collaborates closely with fans and law enforcement before each home game, and this upcoming fixture will be no exception.
The tension is palpable: this match marks the first for Manchester City following an independent commission ruling that found the club guilty on multiple counts of financial breaches, a verdict they have since appealed.
