A state of inertia that is not good for the Premier League
- Published
Manchester City made what they will regard as a powerful statement in the most hostile territory against Liverpool at Anfield - but is it a statement that carries any weight during a Premier League season in limbo?
City's attention turned to on-field matters in their first game since being found guilty of 114 charges related to breaches of Premier League financial rules between 2009-10 and 2017-18.
Fate, and the fixture list, decreed it would be at Liverpool, whose fans nurse the most burning sense of injustice after finishing second to City in 2013-14, 2018-19 and 2021-22.
Their argument centres on the belief those titles could have been theirs had City not possessed the high finance of their Abu Dhabi-based owners, using it in the manner that led to them being investigated.
With this as the backdrop, City strode into this fevered Anfield atmosphere, with Liverpool fans high on adrenaline and determined to make their contempt for their rivals obvious - then outclassed Andoni Iraola's side in a 3-0 win.
Once the predictable sound and fury had been diluted by City's composure and the swift realisation they were not unnerved by Anfield or the storm raging around the club, this was a surreal experience.
After the feast of excitement delivered when Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp presided over the greatest domestic rivalry of recent years, this was an occasion - remarkable as it seems - that seemed robbed of a sense of jeopardy by the circumstances surrounding it.
City have appealed against the verdict, but until the dust settles and final decisions are made, this Premier League season is in a holding pattern.
When City come to Anfield and win, especially as convincingly as they did here, it should be a victory without qualification or questions.
This does not apply amid the current uncertainty.
Every victory, every league table, will come with a metaphorical asterisk until clarity and finality comes. No-one knows when this will be.
There can be no escape from the cloud hanging over Manchester City because every win will carry the same rider - producing a state of inertia that is not good for the Premier League.
This, in essence, is what makes this Premier League campaign one that might yet be rendered void. City might win the title - but who knows if they will be here next season?
As Maresca's side move into top gear and threaten to accelerate away from the chasing pack with wins such as this, no-one has a clue what their final destination will be.
