Three Possible Penalties for Man City and Their Effects on Liverpool

The hearing regarding Manchester City’s alleged breach of Premier League rules is set to commence on Monday. Should the club be found guilty, the ramifications for Liverpool could be significant.

The highly anticipated hearing concerning the 115 charges against Manchester City is starting on Monday. The results are expected to have profound consequences for the Premier League, regardless of whether the verdict is guilty or not.

Manchester City has claimed six of the last seven league titles and was the first club to win the English top flight for four consecutive seasons in 2023/24. Bookmakers predict the club might secure a fifth consecutive title next May. However, this remarkable success could be tarnished if the club is found guilty of violating Premier League financial rules over a nine-year span starting from 2009.

Although the hearing is about to begin, a quick resolution is unlikely. Sky Sports suggests that the ruling may not be announced until spring, and further delays could occur if City opts to appeal a guilty verdict. From Liverpool’s perspective, what could the potential penalties mean?

If City is found to have committed violations, Liverpool might feel particularly aggrieved. Liverpool finished second, just one point behind Pep Guardiola’s team in both the 2018/19 and 2021/22 seasons. Other teams have been runners-up in recent years, but none by such a slim margin. Here are the three most probable punishments if City is found guilty and their possible effects on Liverpool:

A Fine: This would likely bring the matter to a swift conclusion. Given City’s financial resources, they would probably pay the fine and move on. If this doesn’t affect the club’s finances or operations, it would have no impact on Liverpool.

A Points Deduction: Many see this as the most obvious penalty. Last season, Everton and Nottingham Forest were deducted eight and four points, respectively, for breaching financial rules. With bookmakers predicting City to score around 88 points this season and Liverpool trailing by eight, a points deduction for City would significantly improve Liverpool’s chances of winning the title for 2024/25. Past penalties suggest that such a deduction could potentially remove City from the title race entirely.

Relegation: The most severe penalty, relegation would greatly enhance Liverpool’s chances of winning the title both this season and the next. Furthermore, City’s top players might not want to play outside the Champions League, and the prospect of spending a season in the Championship could lead to a significant squad overhaul. This scenario might also impact Guardiola’s decision to renew his contract.

Liverpool fans will be closely watching the proceedings, as the outcome could have wide-reaching effects on the football landscape.