CITY FEARS OVER ANFIELD TRIP

MANCHESTER CITY have sought security assurances from Liverpool over posters advertising a hostile greeting for Sunday’s game. Liverpool apologised unreservedly after City’s bus was attacked on its way to Anfield for a Champions League knockout tie in 2018. Last season’s Premier League game went off without a hitch but a flyer urging home supporters to ‘bring pyro, pints, flags and banners’ as City arrive on Merseyside has prompted apprehension. Merseyside Police are aware of the posters and are working with all relevant parties. They don’t anticipate any trouble on Sunday. Merseyside Police were criticised when City’s coach was attacked in 2018 after they published the route beforehand, and this time details will be kept secret. Missiles were thrown at the vehicle with such force that it had to be written off. Pep Guardiola already has enough to worry about with injuries, not least to goalkeeper Ederson, who was forced off with a thigh problem at half-time of Wednesday’s 1-1 Champions League draw at Atalanta. Ederson will have more tests today but City fear he will not recover in time. Claudio Bravo, who was sent off while deputising against Atalanta, is ready to stand in for the Brazilian. The champions head to Anfield hoping to close a six-point gap in the title race.

n LIVERPOOL have escaped punishment for an offensive banner that was unfurled at a Champions League game in Genk. An image of a naked black man with Divock Origi’s head superimposed was on display in the away end. But no reference was made to the banner in the official reports that were submitted to UEFA and that meant they were unable to open a case.