'Stop running' - Richard Keys makes Man City 115 charges demand and Liverpool title claim

Richard Keys believes Jurgen Klopp deserved "one or two" more Premier League titles at Liverpool and says Manchester City's triumph this season is overshadowed by allegations of financial wrongdoing.

Klopp said farewell to Anfield on Sunday after leading the club to their first league title in 30 years in 2020, their maiden success in the Premier League era. His Liverpool side also twice lost out on the title to Man City by a single point, in 2019 and 2022. Arne Slot has now been the man tasked with earning Liverpool's 20th league title.

City have denied all 115 charges of alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, which were first announced in February 2023. City have vowed to clear their name ahead of an independent hearing, with Premier League chief executive Richard Masters confirming a date has been set before adding: "Our rulebook requires these commissions to be held in private, and everything to be confidential."

READ MORE: Inside painstaking process that led FSG to Arne Slot as Liverpool's first head coach

READ MORE: Man City 115 charges explained and broken down as impact on Liverpool clear

Keys admitted that Man City’s record fourth successive title must be commended. However, he believes a cloud lingers over the Etihad Stadium and the club's success due to the unresolved financial charges.

Writing in his blog, beIN Sports presenter Keys said: "Let’s congratulate City on another title success. Four in a row really is an exceptional achievement. It wasn’t just the final day that fell flat - I thought City’s achievement did.

"They know. They all know - fans, players and management alike, that none of us can take anything they do at face value - until they‘ve answered the 115 outstanding breaches of PL regulations.

"City strenuously deny any wrongdoing. And they’re innocent until proven guilty. The problem is that everything they win comes with an asterisk, until we know one way or the other.

"And that’s not fair on the guys winning the trophies - or City’s fans. If the people that run the club are certain they’ve done nothing wrong - face the charges now. Stop running."

Meanwhile, Keys went on to bid a fond farewell to Klopp after his nine seasons at Liverpool that brought eight trophies to Anfield. He also suggested that the German could yet return to the club later down the line having not earned the amount of titles he deserved.

Keys wrote: "Good luck to Jurgen Klopp in whatever he decides to do next. I wonder what the chances are he’s back at Anfield within 18 months?

"We should all be grateful to him for what he gave us. Yes - 'us'. His rock and roll football was a delight to watch and deserved a title or two more. We’re going to miss him."