The Kopite View

Well, this is the day Manchester City’s long-running Premier League financial case finally moved from allegations to findings.

And the details are extraordinary.

The Premier League has confirmed that an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of the charges relating to serious breaches of the competition’s financial rules covering the nine-season period from 2009/10 to 2017/18.

The commission also upheld the majority of the charges concerning City’s failure to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation.

There is an important distinction here.

This is not a sanction announcement.

The punishment will be dealt with separately, and Manchester City have the right to appeal the commission’s findings.

But the independent commission’s findings themselves are now public.

And some of what has been described is incredibly serious.

The £900m figure is staggering

According to the Premier League, the commission found that Manchester City used what it described as “sham” commercial arrangements with a number of sponsors.

The Premier League says these arrangements were used to artificially increase the club’s reported revenues and reduce its costs.

The commission found that some sponsorship payments were only partially funded by the commercial partners, with the remainder being provided by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd, the company that owned the club.

There were also other arrangements involving funding from ADUG which, according to the findings, allowed City to record lower operating expenses than they had actually incurred.

The Premier League says the overall effect of these schemes was to artificially inflate revenues and reduce costs by more than £900 million during the affected period.

That’s not a small accounting discrepancy.

The commission concluded that City had failed to accurately report its income and expenditure for the purposes of the Premier League’s financial rules and UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations.

It also found that, had the agreements been reported accurately, Manchester City would have breached both sets of spending limits by a “very substantial amount”.

Those are findings from the independent commission, not allegations being repeated by a newspaper.

And that distinction matters.

Then there is the cooperation issue

Perhaps the other part of this case that Liverpool supporters will be watching closely is City’s conduct during the Premier League investigation.

The league said the independent commission found three of the four alleged breaches relating to City’s duty to cooperate and act in good faith.

The commission concluded that City had made what the Premier League described as “concerted efforts” to stop and frustrate its investigation.

Richard Masters, the Premier League’s chief executive, said the decision establishes the facts of what happened during the period and described it as the most significant disciplinary case in Premier League history.

But even the Premier League is stressing that there is still more to come.

The sanction has not been decided.

And City can appeal.

So anyone saying today that a particular punishment is definitely coming is getting ahead of the process.

Liverpool fans will naturally look at the bigger picture

This is where I think things get particularly interesting for Liverpool supporters.

Liverpool finished second behind Manchester City in the Premier League in 2013/14, 2018/19 and 2021/22, while also running City incredibly close during several other title races.

The two points dropped by Liverpool here. The one point there. The 97-point season that still wasn’t enough.

Fans have spent years wondering what these financial allegations could eventually mean for the Premier League’s history.

Now we have an independent commission finding serious breaches over nine seasons.

But we still don’t know what happens to the results and honours from those seasons.

That question remains part of the next stage.

And I think Liverpool supporters should be careful about jumping straight to claims that titles will automatically be handed over or removed.

That’s not what today’s announcement says.

What it does say is that the commission has found serious financial rule breaches and that the sanction will now be considered separately.

That’s already a massive development.

My personal view

I’ll be honest about where I stand on this.

If the independent commission has found that Manchester City deliberately circumvented Premier League financial rules on this scale, then I believe the punishment should be harsh.

Not because I’m a Liverpool supporter and not simply because City have been competing with Liverpool for trophies.

It’s because rules only mean something if there are serious consequences for breaking them.

The financial figures involved are enormous. The commission has found that City’s arrangements artificially inflated revenues and reduced costs by more than £900m, while the club was also found to have breached its cooperation obligations during the Premier League investigation.

For me, that deserves a punishment that reflects the seriousness of the findings.

At the same time, though, I genuinely feel sorry for Manchester City supporters.

And I don’t say that lightly as a Liverpool fan.

No ordinary supporter decided how sponsorship agreements were structured. They didn’t prepare the accounts. They weren’t responsible for the club’s dealings with the Premier League.

They went to matches. They bought shirts. They travelled around the country supporting their team. They celebrated the goals and trophies just like every other football supporter.

Now they are having to deal with the feeling that the club they love has been labelled a cheat.

No supporter deserves that feeling.

You can believe Manchester City should be punished severely while also recognising that the supporters aren’t responsible for what happened behind the scenes.

That’s an important distinction for me.

Football is tribal and we all have our rivalries, but supporters shouldn’t be the target of the anger.

City will fight this

Manchester City have made their position very clear.

The club has the right to appeal the commission’s findings and has until Friday, October 2, to exercise that right.

So this story isn’t finished.

Far from it.

The independent commission has delivered its findings, but there is still an appeal process and a separate sanction stage to come.

And that means Liverpool fans, along with supporters of every other Premier League club, are going to have to wait a little longer before knowing the full consequences.

But today is different from all the years of rumours and speculation.

For years, we have heard about the 115 charges.

Now an independent commission has actually ruled on them.

And the findings are incredibly serious.

The Premier League says Manchester City breached its rules over a nine-season period, used financial arrangements that the commission deemed to be sham agreements, misstated its accounts and breached its duties of cooperation during the investigation.

What happens next could have enormous consequences for Manchester City and the Premier League.

I want to see a punishment that reflects the seriousness of what the commission has found.

But I also hope we don’t lose sight of the supporters caught in the middle of it.

Because whatever happens from here, they didn’t make these decisions.

They just supported their football club.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool have spent an enormous amount of money on their first-team squad over the last couple of summers.

Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola have all arrived for fees of more than £100m, depending on how the deals are calculated.

But while those signings grab all the headlines, something else is happening behind the scenes at Liverpool.

The club are going after the next generation.

And I find that side of Liverpool’s recruitment really interesting.

Liverpool have made more than £230m since 2020 from players who came through their youth system, according to the BBC’s reporting. Those sales have become an important part of Fenway Sports Group’s self-sustaining model, with academy graduates generating significant transfer income that can then be reinvested elsewhere.

The problem is that you can’t keep selling young players without eventually having to replace them.

Liverpool now recognise that.

That’s where the club’s global talent department comes in.

Matt Newberry has led that operation since 2024, with Liverpool increasingly looking beyond the traditional European markets for young players who could eventually develop into first-team footballers.

Brexit has changed the landscape considerably.

Premier League clubs cannot simply go into Europe and sign under-18 players in the way they could previously, while young English players now command what Liverpool academy director Alex Inglethorpe described as a premium.

Liverpool’s answer has been to widen the search.

And Mor Talla Ndiaye might be the best example of what that looks like.

From Senegal to Liverpool

Ndiaye’s story is already fascinating.

He grew up playing football in the Senegalese village of Sandiara before progressing through Bousports Academy and Amitié FC.

Liverpool’s scouts spotted him at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar in 2025, where he represented Senegal.

The club then did something that I really like.

They didn’t just watch him on a screen and throw a contract at him.

Liverpool opened discussions with his academy and representatives, arranged video calls and then sent people to Senegal. They visited the places where Ndiaye trained and met the people who had helped him develop.

They even sat down with his family to understand his background and the environment he had grown up in.

Eventually, Ndiaye chose Liverpool and completed his move in January 2026. The club’s official profile confirms that he joined the Under-21s from Amitié FC after representing Senegal at the Under-17 World Cup.

That isn’t just scouting.

It’s selling a pathway.

And Liverpool have one of the biggest selling points in football when it comes to developing young players.

Ndiaye has already had a taste of first-team football. He was included in the senior matchday squad towards the end of last season and featured during Liverpool’s pre-season under Andoni Iraola.

I’ve watched enough of the young players coming through to know that you shouldn’t get carried away too early, but Ndiaye is certainly one I’m interested in.

He’s a centre-back, he’s physically imposing and, most importantly, Liverpool clearly believe there is something there worth developing.

He’s not the only one

Ndiaye is part of a much wider strategy.

Liverpool also moved for 18-year-old centre-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who arrived from Austria and impressed during pre-season before going out on loan to Levante as he works towards the requirements needed to play regularly in England.

Then there is Samuel Martinez, the Colombian midfielder who is due to join Liverpool next summer.

Liverpool have also secured deals for Belgian goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans and French forward Djylian N’Guessan. Brughmans will remain with Genk before moving to Liverpool, while N’Guessan is spending time with Brest after Liverpool agreed his deal with Saint-Etienne.

N’Guessan is particularly interesting because Liverpool have agreed a deal for an 18-year-old who was already attracting attention after his performances for France at youth level.

This isn’t Liverpool randomly collecting teenagers.

There is a clear strategy.

Find them early. Understand their background. Convince them that Liverpool is the place where they can develop. Then give them the time and support required to have a chance of making it.

Of course, most won’t become stars.

That’s football.

But Liverpool don’t need every one of these players to become the next Steven Gerrard. If even a few make the first team — or become valuable players who can eventually be sold — the investment can make a huge difference.

Liverpool are trying to get ahead of the market

This is probably the bit I find most interesting.

There aren’t many genuine hidden gems anymore.

The best teenagers are being watched by everyone.

Liverpool therefore need to be better at identifying them, but also better at convincing them to choose Anfield.

That’s where the club’s global network becomes important.

Julian Ward’s return as sporting director only adds another interesting layer. Ward already knows Liverpool’s recruitment operation and has a huge network of contacts around the game.

And Liverpool clearly aren’t restricting themselves to the markets supporters traditionally associate with the club.

Senegal.

Colombia.

Austria.

Belgium.

France.

The search is getting wider.

For me, Mor Talla Ndiaye is the player who makes the whole strategy feel real rather than just something written down in a recruitment document.

An 18-year-old centre-back from Senegal arrived at Liverpool having barely begun his journey in professional football.

A few months later, he’s training around the first team and getting opportunities to show Iraola what he can do.

Nobody knows where this ends.

Maybe Ndiaye becomes a Liverpool regular. Maybe he doesn’t.

But that’s the gamble Liverpool are taking.

And after watching the club sell so many young players over the last few years, I think replenishing that talent pool makes complete sense.

Liverpool can’t rely forever on spending £100m-plus to solve every problem.

Sometimes the smartest signing is the one you make before everybody else knows the player’s name.

Mor Talla Ndiaye could be one of those players.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Lamine Camara has given Liverpool fans another reason to keep an eye on him.

The Monaco midfielder put in an impressive performance for Senegal today, and the numbers tell you just how involved he was.

Camara won more duels than anyone else on the pitch, with 10, while also making the most tackles with six. He was also the player who was fouled most often, with four fouls committed against him.

And he wasn’t just doing the dirty work.

Camara completed 10 passes into the final third, the second-highest total in the match. That combination of defensive work and progressive passing is exactly what makes him such an interesting player for Liverpool to monitor.

There is something else that really stands out.

Camara has now won 35 tackles in just nine appearances for club and country this season.

That’s a serious amount of defensive involvement for a midfielder who is still only 22.

I’ve been interested in Camara for a while because Liverpool need to keep improving the balance in midfield. We have seen how important it is to have players who can win the ball, cover ground and still have the ability to move the team forward.

Camara looks capable of doing that.

I’m not saying Liverpool should rush out and sign him simply because he has had another good international performance. That’s not how recruitment should work. But when a player keeps producing numbers like these, you have to take notice.

His performance for Senegal was particularly interesting because he wasn’t simply sitting in front of the defence and making tackles. He was getting involved higher up the pitch as well, finding teammates in the final third and helping Senegal move forward.

That versatility is probably one of the biggest attractions.

Liverpool’s midfield has changed a lot over the last couple of years, and under Andoni Iraola I think the demands are going to be slightly different again. There needs to be energy, aggression and the ability to recover possession quickly, but there also has to be enough quality on the ball to turn that defensive work into attacks.

Camara’s numbers suggest he has plenty of the first part and is developing the second.

His form at Monaco has also given Liverpool something to consider. Opta’s career data shows he has already accumulated significant Ligue 1 experience, while his current season has included five league appearances plus European football.

What caught my eye today, though, was the combination of 10 duels won, six tackles and 10 passes into the final third.

That isn’t just a midfielder having a good game defensively. It shows someone who wants to influence the match in both directions.

And then there is the fact that opponents clearly don’t find him easy to deal with. Being fouled four times was another indication of how involved he was.

Liverpool have been linked with a number of midfielders, and Camara is one of those names that makes sense when you look at what the team could need rather than simply looking for another big-name signing.

I’m also a big believer in giving players time to develop.

Camara doesn’t need to arrive at Anfield and immediately become the finished article. If Liverpool genuinely see something in him, they could bring him into a squad where he can learn, compete and gradually take on more responsibility.

At 22, there is plenty of room for improvement.

And if he keeps producing performances like this, his reputation is only going to grow.

35 tackles won in nine games is the number that really jumps out at me.

Liverpool should certainly be keeping an eye on what comes next.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool haven’t given up on Aurélien Tchouaméni.

That might sound slightly strange considering the Real Madrid midfielder has just signed a new long-term contract, but according to TEAMtalk, Liverpool have kept the lines of communication open with his representatives.

And I can understand why.

Liverpool have admired Tchouaméni for a long time. They were in contact with Real Madrid during the summer about a possible deal, but the French midfielder ultimately decided to stay in Madrid after discussions with new manager José Mourinho.

He has since committed his future to the Spanish giants.

So this isn’t a case of Liverpool preparing a bid tomorrow morning.

TEAMtalk is pretty clear that the Reds aren’t actively pushing for a transfer right now. Instead, they are keeping contact with Tchouaméni’s camp in case his situation changes.

And that’s the bit I find interesting.

Tchouaméni is obviously good enough to play for Liverpool.

The 26-year-old is an established France international and can play as a defensive midfielder or further back in defence when required. He’s the sort of player who gives a team some control and physicality in the middle of the pitch.

Liverpool chose not to bring in another midfielder during the summer despite Curtis Jones leaving, with the club also happy to give Trey Nyoni and James McConnell opportunities around the first team.

I actually like that approach.

There’s no point buying another midfielder simply because a midfielder has left.

If Nyoni and McConnell are good enough to develop into first-team players, they need a pathway.

But there is also nothing wrong with keeping an eye on someone like Tchouaméni.

If a player of that level becomes available, you don’t suddenly ignore him because you’ve decided to give younger players a chance.

The situation at Real Madrid is what could make this interesting.

Tchouaméni has signed a new contract and remains committed to the club. Real Madrid’s summer decision to extend his deal was itself a clear indication that they see him as an important part of their future.

But TEAMtalk reports that Tchouaméni would not be prepared to simply accept a role as a squad player.

That could become important if his playing time isn’t what he expects.

If he establishes himself as one of Mourinho’s first-choice midfielders, this probably goes nowhere.

If he finds himself spending more time on the bench, though, Liverpool are apparently making sure the relationship is still there.

That’s smart recruitment.

Keep the conversation open.

You never know what can happen in football.

And there’s another Liverpool connection that makes this story particularly interesting.

Julian Ward.

Ward is back at Liverpool as sporting director, and Tchouaméni is a player who has been on Liverpool’s radar for years. The midfielder was heavily linked with the Reds before he eventually moved from Monaco to Real Madrid in 2022.

Now Ward is back at Anfield and Liverpool are still keeping tabs on him.

I’m not saying that means Liverpool will sign him.

They won’t have an easy job convincing Real Madrid to sell a player they’ve just tied down to a new contract, and any deal would likely require a huge investment. One report puts Madrid’s previous summer valuation at around £80 million, although that was before the new contract and any future asking price could be different.

For me, this is one to keep in the background rather than get carried away with.

Liverpool have young midfielders they clearly want to develop.

They aren’t actively chasing Tchouaméni.

He’s happy at Real Madrid.

And he’s just signed a new deal.

But if things change over the next year, Liverpool have made sure they aren’t starting from zero.

That matters.

Sometimes the best transfer work isn’t about getting a deal done immediately. It’s about knowing which doors are worth keeping open.

And Liverpool clearly haven’t closed the door on Tchouaméni.

If his situation at Real Madrid changes, I wouldn’t be surprised if Liverpool are there asking the question again.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Jérémy Jacquet has only just made his senior France debut and he’s already getting some very good reviews.

The Liverpool defender started against Belgium on Monday night as France won 1-0 in Brussels, playing the full 90 minutes alongside Maxence Lacroix.

For a 21-year-old making his first appearance for his country, that’s some introduction.

And the reaction afterwards has been very encouraging.

L’Équipe described Jacquet’s performance as very promising, while Goal gave him a 7/10 rating and praised his composure, positioning and the way he helped deal with Belgium’s attacking threat.

The numbers back that up too.

Jacquet had 88 touches and completed 92 per cent of his passes. He made four tackles and won six of his nine duels, while his 10 passes into the final third were joint-most for France.

Not bad for your first senior international appearance.

What I particularly like is that Jacquet doesn’t seem to have gone into the game trying to prove he’s a superstar.

He just played his game.

There was a calmness about him, and that’s something we’ve already seen at Liverpool.

He’s aggressive when he needs to be, he’s comfortable with the ball and he doesn’t seem frightened by the occasion. Belgium tried to put France under pressure at different stages, but Jacquet looked like he belonged there.

That’s probably the biggest compliment you can give him.

He looked like an international footballer.

And this wasn’t some meaningless friendly either. It was a Nations League game against Belgium, away from home, with Zinedine Zidane making nine changes to the France team that had beaten Türkiye in their previous match.

Jacquet was one of three players making their senior debuts for France, and Reuters reported that the newcomers left a positive impression as France secured a 1-0 victory.

Liverpool supporters already knew there was something about this kid.

We’ve seen it at Anfield.

We’ve seen him alongside Virgil van Dijk.

We’ve seen him compete physically and make important defensive interventions.

But seeing him step into international football and immediately look comfortable is another thing altogether.

And I have to admit, I’m really enjoying watching his development.

Liverpool paid a reported £60 million to bring Jacquet in, so there was obviously a lot of expectation attached to him. But he’s not behaving like someone weighed down by the price tag.

He’s just getting on with playing football.

Even Jacquet himself wasn’t completely satisfied with his performance.

After the match, he admitted he was happy with the win and his debut but felt he could have done better in a couple of attacking situations and wanted to improve his distribution after winning the ball.

I actually like hearing that.

There’s no need for a 21-year-old to come out after his first France cap and tell everyone how brilliant he was.

He’s already looking at what he could have done better.

That’s exactly what you want.

And from Liverpool’s point of view, this is another reason to be excited about what they have signed.

Jacquet isn’t simply gaining experience at club level anymore.

He’s now getting international experience alongside some of the best players France has available.

He has played with Van Dijk at Liverpool.

Now he’s playing against some of the best attackers in international football.

That’s only going to help him.

The really interesting part will be seeing where Jacquet goes from here.

One good international performance doesn’t suddenly make him the finished article. He’s still 21 and there will be difficult games, mistakes and periods where he has to learn.

But that’s fine.

Liverpool don’t need the finished article.

They need a young centre-back with the potential to become one.

And everything we’ve seen so far suggests they might have found exactly that.

Jacquet helped France keep a clean sheet on his debut.

He won six duels.

He made four tackles.

He looked comfortable on the ball.

And now he’s getting praise from the French media as well as Liverpool supporters.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool have two young attackers hoping to make their mark for their countries tonight, with Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz both in contention to start.

It could be another important evening for two players who are still establishing themselves at international level.

Ngumoha in contention for England

Rio Ngumoha has made the match-day squad as England travel to face Czechia in the Nations League tonight.

The game kicks off at 7:45pm and the Liverpool youngster is in contention to start.

That’s a big opportunity for the 18-year-old.

Ngumoha was included in Thomas Tuchel’s original England squad for this international window after making his senior debut earlier this year.

He was left out of the match-day squad for England’s meeting with Spain, so getting back into the squad tonight will be particularly encouraging.

Now he will be hoping to take the next step and get another chance to show what he can do.

Liverpool supporters have already seen plenty of potential from Ngumoha and, if he gets the nod from Tuchel, it will be another valuable experience for the teenager.

Munoz pushing for Spain start

Victor Munoz is also in the match-day squad as Spain take on Croatia tonight.

The Liverpool forward is in contention to start in what should be another good test for him at international level.

Munoz has already made his senior Spain debut and remains part of Luis de la Fuente’s plans for the Nations League campaign. The Spanish FA currently lists him among the senior squad’s forwards.

Tonight’s game takes place in Seville, with kick-off at 7:45pm UK time.

For Liverpool, it’s another chance to see one of their summer signings gaining valuable experience with one of Europe’s strongest international sides.

Two Liverpool youngsters to keep an eye on

So there are two Reds to watch tonight.

Ngumoha will be hoping to make an impression with England, while Munoz will be looking to continue his progress with Spain.

Neither player is guaranteed a start, but the fact that both are in their respective match-day squads is another positive sign.

Liverpool supporters will certainly be keeping an eye on both games.

And if either youngster gets the chance from the start, they’ll have a great opportunity to remind everyone why there is so much excitement surrounding their futures at Anfield.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

There are some people who leave a football club.

And then there are people who become part of its identity.

Bill Shankly is firmly in the second category.

Today marks 45 years since the Liverpool legend passed away, but his name is still everywhere around Anfield.

The statue outside the Kop, the Shankly Gates, the stories passed down through generations of supporters and, of course, the famous words that have become part of Liverpool’s history.

Shankly didn’t just manage Liverpool.

He changed the club.

When the Scot arrived at Anfield in December 1959, Liverpool were in the old Second Division. The club had poor facilities and had been nowhere near the force they would eventually become.

Shankly saw something that others perhaps couldn’t.

He saw what Liverpool could become.

And he wasn’t prepared to settle for anything less.

Shankly built Liverpool from the ground up

One of the biggest things Shankly did was change the mentality around the club.

He brought in players who matched his attitude and helped create a team built around hard work, discipline and, perhaps most importantly, playing football the right way.

The famous Boot Room became central to everything.

Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Reuben Bennett worked alongside Shankly, helping to create the foundations for what would eventually become one of the greatest periods in Liverpool’s history.

But first, Shankly had to get Liverpool back where he believed they belonged.

Promotion arrived in 1962 after Liverpool won the Second Division title.

It didn’t take long for Shankly to make his mark in the top flight.

Liverpool won the First Division title in 1963-64, just two years after promotion.

The following season brought another piece of history.

Liverpool won the FA Cup for the first time, beating Leeds United 2-1 after extra time at Wembley.

A second league title followed in 1965-66.

Liverpool were no longer a club hoping to compete.

They were becoming a club expected to win.

He understood Liverpool supporters

This is probably the part of Shankly’s legacy that means the most to me.

He understood what Liverpool Football Club meant to its supporters.

He knew football wasn’t simply about what happened for 90 minutes on a Saturday afternoon.

It mattered to people.

It gave them something to believe in.

Shankly famously spoke about being one of the people on the Kop, and that connection between the manager, the players and the supporters became a huge part of Liverpool’s identity.

You can still see that connection today.

Every generation of Liverpool supporter has heard the Shankly stories.

Some of us grew up watching the footage.

Others heard their parents or grandparents talking about him.

And even supporters who weren’t born until long after Shankly’s time know exactly who he was.

That’s some legacy.

He wasn’t finished after winning trophies

What I find particularly impressive about Shankly is that he didn’t simply build one successful team and leave it at that.

He rebuilt.

Players such as Roger Hunt, Ron Yeats and Ian St John eventually moved on, while a new generation arrived.

Kevin Keegan, Steve Heighway, Ray Clemence and others became part of another Liverpool side.

That rebuilding eventually produced more success.

Liverpool won the UEFA Cup and another league title in 1972-73.

Then came another FA Cup triumph in 1974, when Liverpool beat Newcastle United 3-0 at Wembley.

By then, Shankly had completely transformed the club.

Liverpool had gone from a Second Division side to champions of England and European trophy winners.

His official Liverpool record was three league titles, two FA Cups, the UEFA Cup and the Second Division title during his 15 years in charge.

Then came the decision nobody wanted

In July 1974, Shankly shocked everyone by resigning.

He wanted to spend more time with his wife Ness and his family.

It must have been an incredibly difficult moment for Liverpool supporters.

But perhaps the greatest compliment you can pay Shankly is what happened after he left.

Bob Paisley took over.

And Liverpool went on to dominate English and European football.

Paisley had been part of the foundations Shankly had helped build, and the success that followed showed just how important those foundations had been.

Shankly had created something much bigger than one team.

He had created a culture.

45 years later, he is still part of Liverpool

Shankly died on September 29, 1981.

He was only 68.

The football world lost one of its most recognisable characters, but Liverpool supporters never allowed his memory to disappear.

In fact, it seems to have grown stronger with every generation.

His name is still sung.

His quotes are still repeated.

His statue still stands proudly outside Anfield.

And the Shankly Gates remain one of the most recognisable sights around the stadium.

Liverpool’s own history describes Shankly as the man who helped lay the foundations for the club’s later success, and it’s difficult to argue with that assessment.

When you look at what Liverpool became after Shankly, it is remarkable to think about where the club was when he arrived.

He didn’t have the resources or facilities that modern managers have.

He didn’t have the huge transfer budgets.

What he had was belief.

He believed Liverpool could become great.

Then he went about making it happen.

That’s why, 45 years after his death, Bill Shankly is still remembered at Anfield.

Not simply as a former manager.

Not simply as a man who won trophies.

But as the man who helped change the entire identity of Liverpool Football Club.

Shankly Lives Forever.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool had several first-team players in international action on Monday night, with Ronald Araujo, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Dominik Szoboszlai, Milos Kerkez, Bradley Barcola and Jeremy Jacquet all representing their countries.

There were plenty of positives for Andoni Iraola to take from the evening, particularly with Jacquet making his senior France debut and keeping a clean sheet.

Here’s how the Reds got on.

Ronald Araujo Helps Uruguay to 4-1 Victory

Ronald Araujo completed the full 90 minutes as Uruguay produced an impressive 4-1 victory over South Korea.

The Liverpool defender started at the heart of Uruguay’s defence and helped his country secure a convincing win.

There was also a familiar face on the scoresheet for Liverpool supporters, with former Reds striker Darwin Nunez scoring twice.

For Araujo, getting another full match under his belt will be particularly useful as he continues to build his rhythm and fitness.

Mamardashvili Keeps a Clean Sheet

Giorgi Mamardashvili also completed the full 90 minutes as Georgia played out a 0-0 draw with Ukraine.

The Liverpool goalkeeper kept a clean sheet, with the match producing relatively few clear-cut opportunities.

It was another valuable 90 minutes for Mamardashvili, who will return to Liverpool hoping to continue pushing for opportunities with the Reds.

Szoboszlai and Kerkez Play 90 Minutes

Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez both started for Hungary and completed the full 90 minutes in their goalless draw with Northern Ireland.

Szoboszlai wore the captain’s armband as Hungary were unable to find a way through.

Kerkez also completed the match as both Liverpool players played the entire game.

It wasn’t the result Hungary would have wanted, but from Liverpool’s perspective the biggest positive is that both players came through another full international without any reported injury problems.

Jacquet Makes France Debut

The biggest personal milestone of the night belonged to Jeremy Jacquet.

The young Liverpool defender made his senior France debut against Belgium, starting alongside Bradley Barcola.

And what a way to begin his international career.

Jacquet played the entire match as France secured a 1-0 victory, meaning he finished his first senior appearance with a win and a clean sheet.

That’s a hugely encouraging experience for the 21-year-old.

Liverpool supporters have already seen plenty of promise from Jacquet since his arrival, and earning his first France cap will only add to his confidence.

Liverpool’s official website confirmed that Jacquet started and played all 90 minutes, while Barcola featured for 77 minutes.

Barcola Gets 77 Minutes

Bradley Barcola also started for France and played 77 minutes in the victory over Belgium.

The winger was involved alongside Jacquet before being replaced late in the match.

For Liverpool, getting another competitive international appearance into Barcola’s legs is another positive as the season develops.

The Reds have a demanding schedule ahead and will need their attacking players fit and ready.

Plenty of Positives for Liverpool

Overall, it was a productive night for Liverpool’s international contingent.

Araujo helped Uruguay to a big win.

Mamardashvili kept a clean sheet.

Szoboszlai and Kerkez both completed 90 minutes.

Barcola played 77 minutes.

And perhaps most importantly of all, Jacquet made his senior France debut and helped his country keep a clean sheet.

The biggest headline for Liverpool supporters has to be Jacquet.

The young defender is beginning to look increasingly comfortable at the highest level, and representing France at senior level is another significant step in his development.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool could be keeping a close eye on developments at Manchester City, with a new report claiming the Reds are monitoring two of Pep Guardiola’s attacking players.

According to Indykaila News, Liverpool are keeping tabs on Jérémy Doku and Antoine Semenyo as Manchester City await the outcome of their long-running financial case.

The report claims Liverpool would be ready to step in if City were forced to generate revenue quickly through player sales.

It is certainly an intriguing suggestion.

Liverpool Watching Doku and Semenyo?

Doku is a player Liverpool have been linked with previously.

The Belgian winger was actually close to joining Liverpool as a teenager and later revealed that he visited the club and spoke with Jurgen Klopp and Sadio Mané before ultimately deciding that a move to Anfield wasn’t right for him at that stage of his development.

Since then, Doku has developed into one of Manchester City’s most dangerous attacking players.

His explosive pace, dribbling ability and willingness to take defenders on would make him an obvious fit for a Liverpool side looking for greater attacking threat.

Semenyo is a slightly different proposition.

The Ghana international joined City from Bournemouth in January 2026 after City activated his reported £65 million release clause.

Liverpool had previously been strongly linked with Semenyo before his move to Manchester, with Liverpool themselves acknowledging media reports of their interest in December 2025.

That means there is already a history of Liverpool being interested in the player.

Could Liverpool Take Advantage?

This is where the report becomes particularly interesting.

Manchester City’s financial case has been hanging over the club for years, with the Premier League charges relating to alleged breaches of its financial rules.

The latest reporting suggests the outcome could have significant financial consequences, although the legal process and any appeal remain important factors.

The Independent reported on September 25 that Liverpool were among the clubs that had preserved their rights to potentially pursue compensation in connection with the case.

That doesn’t mean Liverpool are about to raid Manchester City.

But if City were ever required to raise significant funds through player sales, it would naturally create an interesting situation for rival clubs.

And Liverpool would surely be watching.

Doku Would Be Some Signing

From a Liverpool perspective, Doku is particularly fascinating.

The winger has already shown in the Premier League that he can cause enormous problems when given space to attack defenders.

Liverpool have previously lacked that kind of explosive one-v-one threat at times, and Doku’s ability to carry the ball at speed could give Iraola another completely different attacking option.

There is also the obvious storyline.

A player who once turned Liverpool down as a teenager could potentially find himself being pursued by the Reds again several years later.

Football has a funny way of bringing these stories back around.

But Liverpool Would Have Competition

Liverpool would not be the only club interested if either player genuinely became available.

Doku remains an important Manchester City player and is contracted until 2028, while Semenyo only joined City in January after attracting considerable interest from elsewhere.

It would therefore take a significant change in circumstances for either player to become realistically available.

That’s why the financial case is the key part of this story.

Liverpool aren’t simply going to walk into the Etihad and pick their favourite player.

But if circumstances forced City to consider selling established first-team players, the Reds would have every reason to investigate.

Liverpool Should Be Ready

Whether this particular report ultimately proves accurate remains to be seen.

For now, the claim comes from Indykaila News, rather than an official Liverpool or Manchester City source, so supporters should treat the suggestion as a transfer rumour rather than an established development.

But the underlying logic is certainly interesting.

Liverpool have already shown that they are willing to invest heavily when they believe the right player is available.

If Manchester City’s circumstances were to change dramatically following the financial case, Liverpool should be ready to take advantage of any opportunities that emerge.

And if one of those opportunities happened to be Jérémy Doku or Antoine Semenyo, it would certainly get Liverpool supporters talking.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

This Manchester City situation is getting bigger by the day.

And now Graeme Souness has weighed in with something that is going to get Liverpool supporters talking.

Speaking about the reported verdict in Manchester City’s long-running Premier League financial case, Souness said he believes City’s legacy could be destroyed if the findings ultimately stand.

His words were pretty brutal.

> “The legacy is gone. If it goes the wrong way for them, they’ll be consigned to history as cheats, and whatever they did, whatever they won in that period, should not count.”

Souness also suggested there could be an argument for Liverpool being awarded Premier League titles if City are stripped of trophies from the relevant period.

That is obviously a huge statement.

And it’s important to remember where we actually are with this case.

Reports say an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of all but one of the 115 charges, although City have maintained that the Premier League process remains ongoing and are expected to appeal. The Premier League itself has not publicly confirmed the verdict because the process is confidential.

So we are nowhere near the end of this yet.

But the implications are enormous.

The charges cover a period stretching from 2009-10 through to 2022-23, during which City won multiple Premier League titles and established themselves as one of the dominant forces in English football.

And that is where Liverpool fans naturally start looking at the history.

Liverpool finished runners-up to Manchester City by a single point in both 2018/19 and 2021/22.

Those two title races still hurt.

97 points and finishing second.

92 points and finishing second.

Two extraordinary Liverpool teams that would have won the Premier League in most seasons.

But Souness isn’t simply talking about those two campaigns.

He’s talking about the wider question of what happens to trophies if City are ultimately punished for rule breaches covering the relevant period.

That’s where things become incredibly complicated.

The Premier League has a range of possible sanctions available, including points deductions, fines, suspension and even expulsion. Stripping titles is also technically possible under the rules, although there is currently no indication that Liverpool will simply be handed trophies retrospectively. (Sky Sports)

And I think that’s an important distinction.

As a Liverpool supporter, obviously part of me looks at those two one-point defeats to City and thinks about what might have been.

But I wouldn’t want Liverpool’s history rewritten simply because we finished second.

If City were ultimately found to have gained a competitive advantage through serious financial rule breaches, that’s a different conversation.

Then the question becomes much bigger than Liverpool.

It becomes about whether the Premier League can simply leave the historical sporting consequences untouched if the competition itself was distorted.

That’s the can of worms Souness is talking about.

And he went even further, suggesting that financial penalties alone wouldn’t be enough because City’s resources mean that even a huge fine could potentially be absorbed.

He also mentioned relegation, while admitting he wasn’t sure what the appropriate punishment should be.

That part is going to divide football supporters.

Some will argue that the punishment has to be severe enough to matter.

Others will point out that the case is still subject to an appeal process and that Manchester City have consistently denied wrongdoing.

Both things matter.

What happens next is therefore just as important as the reported verdict itself.

City are expected to appeal, and any sanction would have to wait for the legal and disciplinary process to progress.

For Liverpool supporters, though, it’s impossible not to look back at those years and wonder.

What if?

What if Liverpool had been awarded the 2019 title?

What if the 2022 season had ended differently?

Would those incredible Liverpool teams now be remembered as multiple-time Premier League champions rather than the team that kept finishing agonisingly close behind City?

I don’t know where this ends.

And nobody else does either.

But Souness is right about one thing: this has gone far beyond a normal financial punishment.

The case is now touching the history of the Premier League itself.

If the reported findings survive the appeal process and serious sanctions follow, football will have to decide what those years actually mean.

And that could change how one of the most dominant periods in English football history is remembered.

For Liverpool fans, that’s a pretty extraordinary thought.

Jamie (The Kopite View)