It promises to be some spectacle at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, as Man City take to the field for the first time since being formally charged with breaching the Premier League’s financial rules.
Liverpool, one of the teams affected most by City’s period of dominance, have every right to feel aggrieved by the guilty verdict, having fallen narrowly short to the Cityzens on a number of occasions.
The Reds will be determined to channel those feelings of disappointment into a statement display against Enzo Maresca’s men, who have won all five of their opening league fixtures.
Fiery atmosphere on the cards
Former PGMOL head Hackett is expecting a red-hot atmosphere at Anfield, with Chris Kavanagh the referee tasked with keeping control of the contest.
“The Liverpool vs Manchester City game is a big appointment for Referee Chris Kavanagh and his team,” says Hackett.
“Kavanagh is a UEFA Elite Referee and experienced in officiating big UEFA games. Some of these will have potential for high levels of volatility.
“At the elite level of the game, the referee operates like an event manager along with his refereeing duties.
“His first responsibility is to ensure that the game kicks off on time by recognising the signal from the television representative standing at the halfway line who gives the go-ahead.
“There is no doubt that the atmosphere at Anfield will be toxic following the outcome of the Premier League charges against City that have resulted in an appeal by the away club.”
[infobox id=”56fa417b-668f-4479-b327-8fea98ffaefc” /]Pre-match planning and awareness
In addition to handling matters on the pitch, Hackett explains that Kavanagh will be given a full security briefing, as well as meeting with both managers and the respective club captains before the match.
“Some 90 minutes before kick-off, a security meeting takes place in the referees’ dressing room with the Stadium Controller and the Senior Police Officer.
“Discussions take place to bring the referee and his team up to date with the security planning that has been taking place in the days leading up to the game.
“The security of the away team bus and the entry of the players into the stadium is something that Liverpool and its security officers and the Merseyside police are very experienced in dealing with, and any potential hot spots.
“One hour before kick-off, both managers or their representatives and the respective club captains enter the referees’ dressing room.
“The referee will introduce himself and inform the captains that they will be used where appropriate, and if the referee is approached in a sensible manner, they will be given advice on any decision.”
Adopting a ‘firm’ approach
Given the added spice to Sunday’s game, Hackett stresses the importance of Kavanagh remaining level-headed while communicating clearly with both sets of players.
“My approach once the whistle is blown is to adopt a firmer approach in my control of the proceedings,” Hackett says.
“The management of the players is important to ensure that they remain calm, and if a player is at a higher risk of losing it, I would have a word with the captain, asking him to help calm his colleague down.
“Your assistants need to have a high level of awareness and to react by advising the referee if any objects are thrown onto the field of play.
“It is important in a toxic game you remain calm and operate with raised awareness, with a need to remain calm and not overreact.”
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