'Everyone is baying for blood': Man City told what to expect at Anfield amid 'brutal' Liverpool prediction

Man City will be familiar with a hostile Anfield atmosphere - and have been told this weekend will be no different

As Premier League action resumes following an extended international break, all eyes will be on Sunday's massive showdown between Liverpool and Man City.

Two unbeaten records on the line and new managers in the dugout, it's safe to expect fireworks from a fixture that has defined many Premier League seasons in the past decade.

Ultimately though, the focus - at least until the game gets underway - will be Man City being in action for the first time since being found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations.

It's a verdict which City have appealed - but Jamie Carragher believes those implications coupled with the history between the two clubs will only serve to fire up the Anfield faithful.

"They will get a very hot reception, but that is always the same when Man City come to Anfield," Carragher said when speaking on The Overlap podcast.

"Liverpool and Man City have been the two teams going for the titles and the big trophies over the last decade or so. They have got a really poor record at Anfield really for such a great team.

Anfield is always an intimidating venue for visiting teams

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"That is because of the atmosphere and they have found it difficult. I don't think this will be any different, and there will be an extra spice to it. All eyes will be watching this game and it should be a cracker.

"I think it will be very difficult for City now this season in terms of going on to achieve anything. Of course there might be sanctions as the season goes on, but every away ground that they go to will be the best atmosphere in that stadium that season.

"Everyone is baying for blood, so it will be very difficult for their players and manager to achieve anything."

Everyone is baying for blood, so it will be very difficult for their players and manager to achieve anything

Jamie Carragher

While the period Man City have been investigated for is between 2009 and 2018, many Liverpool supporters still feel aggrieved about title races in 2019 and 2022 when they missed out by a single point on both occasions.

As such, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville is predicting a "brutal day" for City.

"If they want an understanding of how angry the game is going to be, then Anfield will tell them, Neville said. "Like you would never believe.

"I suspect there may be banners, there will certainly be chanting. There will be a reception for them like you have never seen. It will be a brutal day."

2018 flashback

Man City know all too well what an hostile Anfield looks like. In fact, prior to a Champions League quarter-final clash in April 2018, their team bus was damaged as Liverpool fans threw bottles and fireworks at the City coach as it arrived at the ground.