Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has indicated that Manchester City’s experience of hostile crowds may become a recurring aspect of their matches following the club’s recent financial misconduct ruling. The comments came after City’s 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, a game marked by vocal criticism from the home supporters directed at City, who were found guilty of nearly all charges related to Premier League financial rules breaches spanning 2009 to 2018.
The match was Liverpool’s first encounter with City since the verdict was announced, and the atmosphere at Anfield reflected strong disapproval from the fans, who repeatedly branded City as cheaters in chants throughout the game. Van Dijk acknowledged that the stadium’s reaction was impossible for players not to hear but suggested that such hostility is likely to be encountered by City players in future fixtures.
“I think everyone could hear it,” Van Dijk said. “Everyone can share their feelings and I don’t think Anfield will be the only place where it will be the case because fans will have their feelings.” He refrained from commenting extensively on the financial misconduct case, noting that City continue to deny wrongdoing and that he intends to express his views only after the club’s appeal concludes. “I don’t think it’s smart for me to comment on it right now,” Van Dijk added. “But when the [appeal] verdict comes out, I will definitely have my opinion and I will probably share it.”
Addressing whether the financial controversy has altered his perception of their title battles against City, Van Dijk said it had not affected his appreciation of their rivalry on the pitch. “I really enjoyed our rivalry and it was a great rivalry on the pitch. What happened off the pitch is for others to find a conclusion on,” he said.
The game itself turned on the 62nd-minute dismissal of Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who received two yellow cards during the match. Van Dijk described Gravenberch’s first booking—a foul on Elliott Anderson—as overly harsh. Liverpool also expressed frustration with referee Chris Kavanagh’s inconsistent officiating, particularly regarding Kavanagh’s decision to book Ronald Araujo for theatrics after waving an imaginary card, while seemingly ignoring protests from City players who called for similar sanctions against Marc Guéhi for diving.
Van Dijk noted that after Araujo’s booking, multiple City players requested a red card, a move that went unheeded. “After Araujo got a yellow card for asking for a yellow card, there were so many players from the other team asking for a red card. That’s just that. We can’t use it as an excuse,” the Liverpool captain said. Following Gravenberch’s sending off, Liverpool conceded quickly, making it difficult to recover with ten men.
City’s victory maintained their strong form despite the off-field controversy and underlined the ongoing intensity of their rivalry with Liverpool, which remains a focal point of the Premier League season.