Advertisement

Liverpool fans should beg Premier League for Man City to receive punishment worse than relegation

Liverpool fans should be begging the Premier League to hand Manchester City a specific punishment worse than relegation.

The reigning champions are finally being taken to court over their 115 alleged charges for breaking financial fair play rules over a nine-year period, leaving them at risk of severe consequences - including expulsion from the top flight.

The charges took place between 2009 and 2018 - a period in which the club won three Premier League titles - but Pep Guardiola's side have denied all accusations of wrongdoing. Nonetheless, the long-awaited hearing is due to begin on Monday (Sep 16), Sky Sports claims.

READ MORE: Sergio Aguero makes Premier League title prediction and has warning for Liverpool

READ MORE: Man City's 3 potential punishments and how it impacts Liverpool

While expulsion from the top flight is unlikely and would only come into effect as an extreme punishment, it is certainly a possibility, although a points deduction seems more realistic.

The best case scenario in Liverpool's case, however, would be neither of these things. While the Reds certainly wouldn't complain if City were to fall victim to a heavy points deduction or expulsion from the Premier League, a transfer ban would be much more preferable.

The reason being is that it impacts its north-west rivals far worse in the long-term and stops them improving their squad altogether, therefore increasing the chances of them slipping down the Premier League table and needing time to rebuild again.

City has won the league in the last four seasons and are strong favorites to retain their crown yet again in the current campaign, although next summer is likely to bring about added reinforcements.

As things stand, a back-up striker for Erling Haaland and long-term replacements for Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri, amid links to Saudi Arabia and Real Madrid, respectively, are expected to be targets for next summer.

But with a transfer ban in place, City would be unable to do any of those things. Instead, the club would have to rely on the players already at hand, along with youngsters coming through the academy and any returning loanees.

Furthermore, any punishment is likely to push Guardiola out of the club as it severely hampers any hopes of winning the league once more. While City have good players and there are plenty of good managers out there, none of them will compare to Pep.

In black and white, a points deduction keeps City in the league and out of the title race for one season, while relegation is also likely to have the same outcome and allows the club to rebuild and spend money.

A transfer ban, however, poses a completely different problem for City that it can do nothing about and this is what Liverpool fans should be wishing for.