Iraola says Man City case leaves Premier League in uncertainty

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola said Manchester City’s appeal against a financial-rules verdict has left the Premier League in limbo.

The Premier League said on Oct. 2 that Manchester City had appealed an independent commission’s decision finding the club guilty of financial-rule breaches. The Associated Press also reported that City is contesting the findings and maintains its innocence. Iraola said the lack of a definitive outcome was a major source of uncertainty for the league.

“Probably the worst thing is the uncertainty, when nobody knows what is going to happen,” the Spanish coach said ahead of Sunday’s meeting between the teams at Anfield. He said Liverpool had to focus on its own performance and try to be the best team it could be.

Iraola, who took charge of Liverpool in June, expects a heated atmosphere at the home ground. He said the team wanted to give supporters reasons to back it and hoped to draw on their support during the match. The club’s official website said Liverpool remained unbeaten under the new coach at the start of the season.

Liverpool had drawn three of its first five league matches and was six points behind the leaders before the weekend round. Its attacking options were also limited: Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo were injured while on international duty and were expected to miss Sunday’s game. The appeal against the City verdict had not yet been decided.