Manchester City fear repeat Liverpool bus attack ahead of Anfield trip

City seek assurances from Liverpool there will be no repeat of 2018 scenes

Mark Critchley
Northern Football Correspondent
Friday 08 November 2019 05:59 EST
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Manchester City's bus was attacked by Liverpool fans outside Anfield
Manchester City's bus was attacked by Liverpool fans outside Anfield (AFP via Getty Images)

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Manchester City have sought assurances from Liverpool that there will be no repeat of the 2018 attack on their team bus at Anfield on Sunday.

City’s bus was damaged by projectiles thrown by Liverpool fans as it made its way into Anfield before a Champions League quarter-final in April 2018.

Despite there being no injuries, one of the vehicle’s windows was smashed in the incident and City were forced to find a new team bus for their trip home to Manchester.

Liverpool condemned the attack on City’s bus “in the strongest possible terms”, apologising “unreservedly” to Pep Guardiola, his staff and his players, but no arrests were made.

Merseyside Police publicised City’s route to Anfield prior to the 2018 quarter-final but are expected to keep details confidential for Sunday’s visit.

City’s journey for 0-0 draw at Anfield in October last year passed off without incident but the Premier League champions remain wary of a repeat attack.

Social media posts encouraging Liverpool fans to “bring your pyro, pints, flags and banners” to a “coach greeting” have circulated ahead of this weekend’s top-of-the-table clash.

Guardiola’s side visit Anfield six points behind pace-setters Liverpool, knowing that a third defeat of the Premier League season would dent their title defence.

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