Anfield Index

Newsround with Dave Davis returns with another packed international break update as the fallout from Manchester City's Premier League case continues to dominate the agenda. Dave examines reports that some of City's Premier League rivals want a punishment extending beyond a single relegation, before turning to the political dimension surrounding the case. Comments about City's ownership come under scrutiny, while reports concerning diplomatic immunity add another extraordinary layer to an already complicated story. There's also a look at Nick Harris's latest appearance on Anfield Index and the historical allegations and financial arrangements discussed as part of the wider Manchester City story. Liverpool then return to centre stage. Alexis Mac Allister emerges unscathed from Argentina duty, but with potentially 16 Liverpool international appearances ahead, the nervous wait continues. Dave also assesses Ryan Gravenberch's difficult start under Andoni Iraola, including criticism from Ruud Gullit, before discussing the pressure on Bradley Barcola and positive news surrounding Hugo Ekitike's recovery from his Achilles injury. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Synopsis Anfield Index Special continues as Dave Davis and Trev Downey turn from Manchester City's verdict to the potentially enormous legal battle that follows. City can appeal, but where could the process ultimately lead? Dave and Trev examine the prospect of the dispute reaching the High Court, whether previously considered evidence could become another battleground and why City's legal team will be searching every rule and procedure for a potential route out. There's also the question of time. With City prepared to challenge the findings, the pair discuss why this saga could continue far beyond the initial verdict and why the Premier League will need to ensure its case and procedures can withstand intense scrutiny. Could City overturn crucial findings, escape through a technicality, or simply keep the process running for years? The verdict may have arrived, but the biggest legal battle could only be beginning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mo Chatra is joined by investigative sports journalist Nick Harris for a special live edition of Money Talks, simulcast across Anfield Index and EPL Index. Having investigated Manchester City's finances for more than a decade, Nick joins Mo to examine the independent commission's findings against City, how the financial arrangements worked, the evidence behind the case and the extraordinary journey from the original investigations to the Premier League verdict. They also look at what happens next, Manchester City's planned appeal, the potential sanctions, the implications for rival clubs including Liverpool and what one of the biggest financial cases in English football history could mean for the Premier League. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anfield Index Special with Dave Davis & Trev Downey dives into the extraordinary fallout from the independent commission's findings concerning Manchester City. Dave and Trev examine the language used in the verdict, including repeated references to “sham” arrangements, claims that City's commercial income was overstated by £830 million, and findings concerning evidence given by important witnesses. They also put the enormous numbers into historical context, looking back at transfer fees between 2009 and 2018 to illustrate just how significant £830 million was during that era. With Manchester City expected to appeal, the discussion turns towards what happens next, how long the legal process could continue and whether supporters expecting a swift conclusion may have a very long wait ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anfield Index Special concludes with Dave Davis and Trev Downey tackling perhaps the biggest question surrounding Manchester City's case: what could the eventual punishment actually look like? Points deductions, transfer restrictions, expulsion and even the status of City's trophies enter the conversation as Dave and Trev examine the wildly different outcomes supporters are demanding. One argument receives particular attention: that whatever happens legally, nobody can take away what City supporters witnessed on the pitch. Dave challenges that position by looking at examples from other sports where victories and titles were subsequently removed from the official record. But Trev sounds a warning to Liverpool supporters expecting the most severe outcome. Appeals, lawyers, time and the commercial interests surrounding the Premier League could make the eventual resolution far more complicated. The pair discuss reports that 15 clubs would need to agree if expulsion became the proposed punishment, while questioning whether commercial considerations could ultimately influence attitudes towards such an extreme sanction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave continues his Dusty Ballers series and this time he looks at Red Star Belgrade from the 90s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave looks at the news & gossip as Andy Burnham speaks on the City situation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave looks at the ever evolving City situation with reports of the multiple clubs pushing for a quicker revolution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave Davis and Michael Reid return with Numbers Don't Lie, putting the statistics behind Liverpool's season under the microscope. This time, Alexis Mac Allister takes centre stage. After questions surrounding his future and his disappointment at not receiving a new contract, the Argentine appears to be delivering his response on the pitch. Michael breaks down a remarkable improvement in Mac Allister's numbers. His line-breaking passing has surged, he's progressing Liverpool through midfield with greater regularity and his defensive output has also improved. Even more impressively, Mac Allister is attempting more ambitious passes while becoming more accurate, not less. His performance against Bournemouth demonstrated exactly why the numbers matter. Seven recoveries, four clearances, two tackles, 14 passes into the final third and 19 line-breaking passes showed a midfielder influencing virtually every phase of the game. With Gravenberch and Szoboszlai already receiving new deals, has Mac Allister now given Liverpool and Julian Ward something serious to think about? Dave and Michael also discuss Liverpool's international break, injuries to Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, and why losing Gakpo could prove particularly damaging ahead of Manchester City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Numbers Don't Lie returns as Dave Davis and Michael Reid put Liverpool's performances under the statistical microscope. This time, Milos Kerkez becomes the major talking point. Andoni Iraola knows exactly what the Hungarian can produce after their time together at Bournemouth, but are Liverpool finally beginning to see that player? Michael breaks down a fascinating statistical picture. Kerkez is playing more progressively, making significantly more overlapping and underlapping runs and becoming increasingly involved in Liverpool's attacking build-up. Yet not every number is heading in the right direction, leaving questions over whether Iraola has truly unlocked his first-choice left-back. Attention then turns to Trey Nyoni. At just 19, the midfielder's passing ability has Dave and Michael excited about his potential role in Iraola's double pivot. Rather than sending him on loan, Liverpool have kept Nyoni around the first team, and a potential opportunity against Tottenham could push him further into the manager's thinking. The pair also examine where Liverpool can improve in possession before reflecting on the Manchester City case and just how extraordinary Jürgen Klopp's great Liverpool sides were statistically, regardless of the trophies ultimately won. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave Davis turns his attention towards some enormous decisions awaiting Liverpool and returning sporting director Julian Ward. At the top of the agenda is Virgil van Dijk. With the Liverpool captain's contract approaching its conclusion, reports referenced in the show link Real Madrid, Milan, Inter Miami and Galatasaray with a potential Bosman move. Dave makes the case for Liverpool acting decisively and extending Van Dijk's stay, arguing that his quality and leadership remain invaluable to the club's emerging generation of centre-backs. There are recruitment questions elsewhere. Liverpool are linked with Stuttgart's young centre-back Finn Jeltsch, although Dave questions the need for another young defender given the talent already available. Crystal Palace left-back Tyrick Mitchell is another name discussed, with a free transfer potentially making considerably more sense than an expensive January deal. Midfield could provide the biggest intrigue. Lamine Camara is described as a plausible Liverpool target and potentially one to watch for January, while Dave discusses Lewis Steele's expectation that Alexis Mac Allister may not be offered a new contract. That creates a fascinating question over Liverpool's longer-term midfield plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave examines the independent commission's findings, including the extraordinary language surrounding City's commercial arrangements, financial reporting and evidence provided during the case. Attention then turns towards City's response, the prospect of further legal action and why this saga could continue for some time. From a Liverpool perspective, Dave considers the potential consequences of City's actions and reflects on the extraordinary battles Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool endured against Pep Guardiola's side. Then comes the question everyone wants answered: what happens to Manchester City now? Could the punishment involve an enormous points deduction, relegation, expulsion, financial penalties or consequences surrounding previous trophies? There's also plenty of Liverpool international news, with Jeremy Jacquet's impressive France breakthrough, Rio Ngumoha making his competitive England debut and Trey Nyoni continuing to impress at youth international level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Guy Drinkel is here with today's Daily Red as he looks at a report that Manchester City were told about their charges in the summer. He then looks at the players wages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave Davis and Lewis Steele turn their attention firmly towards Liverpool, assessing the major decisions facing the club as Andoni Iraola continues shaping his squad.With Liverpool attempting to build on their early progress under the new head coach, Dave and Lewis examine where improvements can still be made and how the club's recruitment strategy could develop over the coming months.The discussion looks at the balance of the squad, the players Iraola can build around and the areas where Liverpool may eventually need further reinforcements. There is also the wider question of how quickly the club should act, with January presenting an opportunity if the right player becomes available.Lewis provides his perspective on the thinking around Liverpool and the challenge facing the recruitment team as they attempt to give Iraola the personnel required for his style of football.It's a fascinating look at a Liverpool squad still evolving under a new manager, with some potentially significant decisions looming. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave Davis and Lewis Steele close out Media Matters by tackling one of the biggest questions surrounding Andoni Iraola's Liverpool: does the head coach actually know his strongest XI yet? Injuries to Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak have created uncertainty ahead of Liverpool's next fixtures, leaving Iraola potentially considering Bradley Barcola through the middle, Lewis Koumas or even a false-nine solution. Lewis believes Liverpool's defensive picture is becoming clearer, but midfield and attack remain far less settled. Competition for places is healthy, although the coming weeks now provide an opportunity for individual players to establish themselves and give Iraola some definitive answers. Attention then turns towards Liverpool's ceiling this season. Lewis believes challenging for the Premier League title remains possible, although winning it may still represent a step too far. With Liverpool six points behind Manchester City at the point discussed in the transcript, the upcoming meeting with City could significantly change that picture. City, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Arsenal and Crystal Palace form a demanding sequence before the next international break. Liverpool's response could tell us considerably more about just how far Iraola's new side can go Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave Davis is joined by Lewis Steele for a packed edition of Media Matters, with the fallout from Manchester City's financial case dominating the agenda. Lewis reacts to the extraordinary developments surrounding City and considers what could happen next as the dispute moves towards appeals and potentially years of further legal action. With Liverpool among four clubs said in the transcript to have previously reserved their right to seek compensation, Dave and Lewis discuss how difficult it could be to calculate the financial and sporting consequences of City's breaches. Could Liverpool argue that City's actions cost them Premier League titles and other trophies? What happens to the legacy of Jürgen Klopp's great Liverpool side? And how can the authorities possibly determine the impact across clubs that missed out on trophies, European qualification and prize money? There's also important Liverpool news from the international break. Jeremy Jacquet earns praise following an impressive France debut, while injuries to Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo create major concerns ahead of the upcoming Manchester City clash. Lewis assesses their chances of returning and provides an update on Giovanni Leoni's recovery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices