Man City Adjust Liverpool Travel Arrangements Due to Concerns about Mischievous Activities
In preparation for their upcoming clash with Liverpool, Manchester City has made changes to their travel plans to avoid any potential distractions caused by mischievous activities from Liverpool supporters. It is common for Premier League clubs to stay in a hotel in the city they are visiting overnight before a game. This arrangement allows for less margin for error when it comes to players arriving late or disturbances with sleep, especially those with young children at home. Liverpool follows this practice for both home and away games, with the Titanic Hotel serving as their base for fixtures at Anfield.
However, Pep Guardiola and his Man City squad and staff have decided against staying in Liverpool overnight. According to the Mail’s Jack Gaughan, this decision was made to mitigate the risk of any potential “tomfoolery” that may occur around their hotel. Instead, City will make the short trip to Liverpool on Sunday morning before having a pre-match meal and meetings at a hotel in the city.
This adjustment in travel plans comes after Liverpool supporters made headlines for a firework display outside of Real Madrid’s team hotel before the Champions League last 16 opener in 2023. While the display seemed to initially impact the match, with Liverpool scoring two early goals, they ultimately lost 5-2. As a result, Man City is taking precautions to ensure that they are not affected by similar incidents.
Further measures will be implemented by Merseyside Police in the lead-up to Sunday’s 3.45pm kickoff. The match was already moved from its traditional 4.30pm slot at the request of authorities. The Mail’s Mike Keegan reports that “surveillance teams” will be deployed around Anfield to covertly film events, aiming to deter any ugly incidents.
These measures will apply to both sets of supporters, with match commander Iain Wyke warning against any tragedy chanting, which has been an issue in previous meetings between Man City and Liverpool. Wyke explained that they are working to ensure the game can be enjoyed safely by all while minimizing disruption to local residents and roads. He stated, “Our policing style will be firm, fair, and friendly, but officers will not tolerate any tragedy chanting, the throwing of missiles, or the use of pyrotechnics inside or outside of the stadium.”
In conclusion, Man City’s adjustment to their travel plans showcases their commitment to maintaining focus and avoiding any potential distractions from mischievous activities by Liverpool supporters. With heightened security measures in place, both sets of supporters are expected to enjoy the match safely while adhering to the guidelines set by the authorities. As the highly anticipated clash approaches, football fans eagerly await the outcome on the pitch.