Merseyside Police are preparing for a potentially tense Liverpool meeting with Manchester City on Sunday, with officers aware of concerns that the visiting team’s bus could face a hostile reception from supporters before kick-off.
The fixture at Anfield will be Manchester City’s first match since an independent panel found the club guilty of widespread breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations.
Social media post promotes planned bus gathering
Police are aware of a social media post advertising a “Bus Greeting” on Anfield Road approximately two hours before the scheduled 4.30pm kick-off.
The post encourages supporters to bring “flags, banners, pyros, flares, kopparbergs”, with the reference to Kopparberg apparently referring to the bottled cider.
A wink emoji accompanies the final item in the message, which has drawn attention because of the nature of the proposed gathering.
Merseyside Police have confirmed they are aware of the post and said an “appropriate policing plan” will be in place for the fixture.
City arrive amid financial verdict
Sunday’s match carries additional attention because it is City’s first since the publication of the independent panel’s findings over alleged financial-rule breaches.
The panel found that around £900million had been illegally channelled into the club between 2009 and 2018.
The verdict has prompted strong reactions among supporters of rival clubs.
The longstanding rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City has also intensified alongside City’s rise as one of English football’s leading sides.
Previous fixtures have required major police planning
Merseyside Police previously mounted a large-scale operation before a Liverpool-City fixture in 2024 amid concerns about the Manchester club’s team bus.
The bus ultimately reached the stadium without incident, with its journey altered through a detour.
Security concerns have also surrounded other high-profile fixtures in the city.
Later in the 2024 season, a man was banned from football and given a community order after throwing a glass bottle at Manchester United’s team bus as it travelled towards the ground.
City bus was attacked before 2018 Champions League tie
One of the most serious incidents involving Manchester City’s team bus occurred in 2018, before a Champions League quarter-final first-leg meeting with Liverpool.
The coach carrying Pep Guardiola and his players was struck by bottles, bricks and flares as it approached Anfield.
The attack caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the vehicle, forcing the club to arrange a replacement coach for the journey home.
No arrests were made by Merseyside Police in connection with that attack at the time.
Officers monitor Sunday’s arrangements
With another Liverpool-Manchester City fixture approaching, police have acknowledged the proposed gathering and confirmed preparations are being made around the match.
The fixture is scheduled for a 4.30pm kick-off at Anfield on Sunday.
