Anfield welcomed Manchester City to their new reality, a sullied place where every touch is accompanied by cries of “cheat”, any favourable decision is considered proof of further conspiracy and every victory hollow. But Welcome to Hell this was not. The only body of irrefutable evidence in City’s favour since the guilty verdicts landed is that Enzo Maresca’s league leaders appear immune to prosecution and persecution.
That may well change depending on the outcome of City’s appeal and any punishment that eventually arises, likewise the merits and value of a commanding 3-0 win on Liverpool soil. The sight of Erling Haaland savouring a statement victory in front of City’s supporters after the final whistle, while chants of “going down” echoed around the rest of the stadium, captured the schism at the heart of this Premier League season.
