Manchester City team bus takes alternative route into Anfield and avoids hostile welcome

Manchester City's team bus took an alternative route into Anfield and avoided a hostile welcome from Liverpool supporters.

The Reds' fans had gathered where the team buses' routes usually go, setting off flares as the home team's coach arrived.

Huge cheers serenaded the Liverpool bus as supporters were expecting the City team coach to follow.

However, the Citizens' buses took a different route into the ground, being followed by a police escort as they escaped the crowds.

Some shouts of "cheats" were heard as City arrived, but the squad avoided most of the hostility.

Liverpool fan merchandise showed displays of "cheats" written in Oasis fashion, referencing the Gallagher brothers' support for City.

Other signs read: "114 charges, guilty" while t-shirts said: "What's the story? Tainted Glory."

The hostile atmosphere came after City were found guilty of breaching 114 Premier League financial rules.

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The Citizens have appealed the verdict and stated their innocence, with their boss, Enzo Maresca, saying he has "complete trust" in the club.

He said: "The reason why I joined this club is because I completely trust, 100 per cent, the owner, the CEO, the sporting director, the whole organisation. I don't have any doubt about that.

"There is not another club in the world where I would like to be. I am very happy to be here, I am very proud, as I've said since day one.

"I would like to speak about this situation when we are going to win the appeal. I completely trust the club in this moment, in the future, always."

Speaking ahead of the contest against the Reds, Maresca said: "For me and the players, we can control just the pitch, the football side. We are focused on that. This what we can control. We cannot control something different.

"Viewing the environment in the last two days, I am not worried at all. The environment of the players is nice.

"In this moment we are top of the league, so the players have all the reasons to be happy and excited.

"It will be a tough game for sure, a tough test, but we need to be ready."

When asked about what he expects in terms of an atmosphere at Anfield, the Italian added: "I know Anfield is a nice pitch.

"It will probably be more warm in terms of environment but the reason I decided to be manager is for this kind of game. It will be a tough game for sure, a tough test, but we need to be ready.

"Absolutely they can face the pressure. We have players who have already experienced a similar situation, (such as) Enzo Fernandez playing in Argentina.

"In Argentina, it's almost every game going to Anfield, so no problem."

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