If Man City Were to Be Relegated, Who Could LFC Target…

Manchester City’s Charges and Liverpool’s Perspective

There is an entertaining discussion and a stream of propaganda surrounding what may happen to Manchester City, given the extraordinary 115 charges that were levelled against them in February of this year. The recent 10-point deduction handed to Everton, Liverpool’s Merseyside neighbours, has made the topic of Manchester City’s potential fate a prominent subject among football media and followers. Despite the overspending and widespread infringement of the profit and sustainability rules, Manchester City continue to plead their innocence in the face of overwhelming evidence and allegations. Even the most ardent City fan must realise that their era of dominance may now be about to crumble.

🚨🔵 Guardiola: “I’ve not changed my view on the 115 charges against Man City”.

“Everton? Two completely different cases”.

“I know people are saying: why don't Man City go to the Conference?”.

“I feel that people want City to be punished. But at the moment we are innocent”. pic.twitter.com/HfyvU62eP5

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 24, 2023

Liverpool’s Transfer Strategy Amid Man City’s Turmoil

Given the continuing talk of a relegation down the English football leagues, I wanted to look at which players may become of interest to Liverpool, if such a sanction was to materialise. Major punishment and future oversight of Manchester City’s accounting will mean that players will have to leave the club. Therefore, I will be listing the current Etihad assets that could soon be looking for their next destination, which may include Anfield. I have put the players in descending order, by my own personal preference.

Liverpool’s Potential Transfer Targets from Manchester City

Rodri
- Age: 27-years-old (DOB – 22/06/1996)
- Nationality: Spanish
- Playing Positions: CDM / CM / CB
- Contract Expiry: 30 June 2027
- Transfermarkt Value: €100m
- Verdict: This is a sensational player and the most important cog in the Etihad machine. If there was a chance to get this man next summer, the reds recruitment team should be all in on a deal. The signing of the former Atletico Madrid player would transform Liverpool’s team and instantly make them the Premier League’s best outfit.
Phil Foden
- Age: 23-years-old (DOB – 29/05/2000)
- Nationality: English
- Playing Positions: LW / RW / SS / ACM
- Contract Expiry: 30 June 2027
- Transfermarkt Value: €110m
- Verdict: A beautifully crafted technician that could be moulded into the perfect Jürgen Klopp player. With limitless ability and a determination to succeed, the England international would become one of the world’s best players under the German manager’s umbrella.
Joško Gvardiol
- Age: 21-years-old (DOB – 23/01/2002)
- Nationality: Croatian
- Playing Positions: LCB / LB
- Contract Expiry: 30 June 2028
- Transfermarkt Value: €80m
- Verdict: Liverpool were very interested in the giant Croatian in the summer, before the cost of his move from RB Leipzig (to City) became too much to compete with. It would not surprise me if Jörg Schmadtke were to make enquiries in the event a relegation release clause kicked in. Would be perfect as the left back in this hybrid initiative.
Jérémy Doku
- Age: 21-years-old (DOB – 27/05/2002)
- Nationality: Belgium
- Playing Positions: LW / RW
- Contract Expiry: 30 June 2028
- Transfermarkt Value: €60m
- Verdict: A player that was once regarded as the long-term Sadio Mané successor. The exciting and electrifying wide man would fit into the Anfield squad perfectly, therefore, any second chance to attain the Belgium players’ services should not be ignored.
Rico Lewis
- Age: 19-years-old (DOB – 21/11/2004)
- Nationality: English
- Playing Positions: RB / LB / CDM
- Contract Expiry: 30 June 2028
- Transfermarkt Value: €20m
- Verdict: This is a very promising young player that would make an awful lot of sense, as well as being a future homegrown commodity. The versatile nature and cultured talent are undeniable; therefore, a deal would have to be explored if possible.
Nathan Aké
- Age: 28-years-old (DOB – 18/02/1995)
- Nationality: Dutch
- Playing Positions: LCB / LB
- Contract Expiry: 30 June 2027
- Transfermarkt Value: €42m
- Verdict: The age is the only detriment in such a signing, as the Dutch international would be the ideal fit on the left of Liverpool’s defensive line. This is a deal that would have to be very financially viable (less than €40m), otherwise it will remain a nonstarter.
Julián Álvarez
- Age: 23-years-old (DOB – 31/01/2000)
- Nationality: Argentinian
- Playing Positions: CF / LW / RW
- Contract Expiry: 30 June 2028
- Transfermarkt Value: €80m
- Verdict: An intriguing player that could well be immersed into a post Mohamed Salah structure, if the Egyptian King were to leave next summer. With an impressive record in the Premier League, this is a deal that would make sense, though not prioritized.
Erling Haaland
- Age: 23-years-old (DOB – 21/07/2000)
- Nationality: Norwegian
- Playing Positions: CF
- Contract Expiry: 30 June 2027
- Transfermarkt Value: €180m
- Verdict: His next club will be Real Madrid, with any notion a suitability (to the reds) diminished by what would likely be a £1m per week set of demands.

The Bigger Picture: Football’s Changing Dynamics

Liverpool and many other elite level clubs must have had conversations about the potential impact at Manchester City. Not one single established international player will accept dropping down the English football leagues. Relegation release clauses are likely standard in most Etihad contracts. Sporting agents will not be ignorant to what has been happening, and the need to protect clients will create a fire sale.

“They have 115 charges over 9 years.”

“If it’s 10 points for what Everton did, City’s offence would lead to relegation.”

Rob Draper says Man City will fear relegation after Everton’s points deduction… pic.twitter.com/jCwjDND0BU

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) November 18, 2023