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Premier League | Gameweek 29

Apr 1, 2023 at 12.30pm UK

Etihad Stadium

Man City
4 - 1
Liverpool

Alvarez (27'), De Bruyne (46'), Gundogan (53'), Grealish (74')
Rodri (33')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Salah (17')
Salah (19')

Liverpool charged by FA over Manchester City referee incident

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 06 April 2023

Liverpool charged by FA over Man City referee incident

Liverpool are charged with failing to control their players by the FA after surrounding referee Simon Hooper in last week's defeat to Manchester City.

Liverpool have been charged with failing to control their players by the FA during their 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City last weekend.

The Reds were incensed when Rodri - who had just been booked by referee Simon Hooper - brought down Cody Gakpo on the break only a couple of minutes later at the Etihad.

Captain Jordan Henderson was among the players to surround Hooper, who did not brandish a second yellow card for Rodri despite furious protestations.

Liverpool had taken the lead through Mohamed Salah in the first half, but with Man City retaining 11 players on the field, the Premier League champions turned the tie around to demolish Jurgen Klopp's side.

An FA sanction was seemingly guaranteed after Liverpool players furiously remonstrated with Hooper, and the governing body have now confirmed that the Merseyside club have been charged.

Liverpool's Fabinho, Harvey Elliott, Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson react on April 1, 2023 © Reuters

"Liverpool FC has been charged after its players surrounded a match official during the 34th minute of their Premier League game against Manchester City FC on Saturday 1 April," the statement read.

"It's alleged that Liverpool FC failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or do not behave in a way which is improper, and the club has until Wednesday 12 April to respond."

Nevertheless, Klopp admitted that Liverpool would most likely not have won the match even if City went down to 10 men, as the game was marred by several unsavoury incidents last weekend.

Greater Manchester Police have opened an investigation after a brick was allegedly thrown at Liverpool's team bus on the way out of the stadium, causing a window to crack, but no-one on the coach was harmed.

Both sides also condemned hateful chanting towards Liverpool fans relating to the Hillsborough disaster, which were also heard during the Reds' goalless draw with Chelsea on Tuesday evening.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on March 15, 2023 © Reuters

The reverse fixture at Anfield - which Liverpool won 1-0 - also saw Pep Guardiola allege coin-throwing from the stands, although an investigation found no conclusive evidence that such an offence took place.

"Vile chants" and graffiti were also reported during that game, while in December's EFL Cup clash at the Etihad Stadium, a 15-year-old girl was treated for a cut to her head after being struck by a cup of coins thrown from the stands.

Man City's triumph over Liverpool last weekend keeps the champions eight points behind Arsenal at the top of the table with a game in hand, while the Reds sit eighth after failing to snap their winless streak against Chelsea in midweek.

The Reds could now do Man City a favour when they host Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, and they have been handed a significant injury boost ahead of the visit of the league leaders.

Thiago Alcantara was seen in full training on Thursday as he battles back from a hip injury, while Virgil van Dijk was also put through his paces after missing the draw with Chelsea through illness.