04 March 2024 , 16:28
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Police are preparing themselves for potential crowd trouble ahead of Liverpool ’s huge Premier League game against Manchester City this weekend.
Jurgen Klopp ’s side host City at Anfield in a 3.45pm kick-off on Sunday in what could be a pivotal game in the title race. Tensions are expected to be high on Merseyside, with Liverpool holding a one-point lead over the defending champions heading into the crunch match.
City’s team bus has been pelted with missiles ahead of previous games at Anfield and Merseyside Police are braced for a possible repeat. Back in April 2018, City’s bus was hit with bottles and flares thrown by rowdy Reds fans, while a window on Manchester United’s bus was broken by a bottle on its way to Anfield in December.
Liverpool have condemned the previous incidents and are hopeful there won’t be a repeat this weekend. But nevertheless, Merseyside Police have confirmed their extra vigilance to the Daily Mail.
“We have been working closely with the two football clubs and supporters’ groups for this Sunday’s match at Anfield,” Chief Inspector Kevin Chatterton, match commander for the game, said. “As with every football match, we have a robust policing in place. Any disorderly behaviour will not be tolerated, and we will take action to identify and bring to justice anyone found responsible for committing offensive and disorderly behaviour.”
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The rivalry with City has developed over recent years due to both clubs’ success in the Premier League. But it is the incident ahead of the 0-0 draw with United in December which is fresher in the memory. A 23-year-old man was later arrested after Liverpool released a statement.
“Liverpool Football Club utterly condemns the actions that led to damage being caused to the Manchester United team bus during its arrival at Anfield this afternoon,” the club said. “
Manchester City's bus was damaged in April 2018 on the way to Anfield (PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)We are aware of footage of the incident circulating online and are working with Merseyside Police, to fully investigate and identify those responsible. Any individuals found guilty of this reprehensible behaviour will also face the full force of the club’s sanction process.”
The incident with City back in April 2018, ahead of a Champions League quarter-final, left the visitors claiming that their bus had suffered significant damage which left it unusable, including a smashed windscreen and driver's door. There was a similar incident in April 2023 when Liverpool’s bus was targeted in Manchester following City’s 4-1 win in the Premier League.
That fixture last season also saw both clubs release statements to condemn Hillsborough chanting by some City supporters. "We regret any offence these chants may have caused and will continue to work with supporter groups and officials from both clubs to eradicate hateful chanting from this fixture,” City said in a statement, while the Premier League said it was "treating the issue of tragedy chanting as a priority and as a matter of urgency".
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