Liverpool will be desperate to twist the knife into Manchester City when the pair lock-horns in a blockbuster Premier League showdown at Anfield on Sunday.
Enzo Maresca may have enjoyed a productive start to life in the Etihad Stadium hotseat, guiding his charges to five successive victories, however, off the field issues have thrown the club into significant turmoil over the past week.
The Citizens have been found guilty by an independent commission of all 115 charges relating to breaches of the league's financial regulations between 2009 and 2018, although the club continue to deny any wrongdoing and have vowed to clear their name through an appeal.
They will now look to do their immediate talking on the pitch as they attempt to maintain their title charge in front of a vociferous home crowd on Merseyside.
City have won each of their last three fixtures against the Reds, notching up 3-0 and 2-1 Premier League successes last term as well as an emphatic 4-0 FA Cup hammering the last time they met back in April.
Both side head into this weekend's clash unbeaten in the top-flight this term, with City boasting the one and only 100 percent record in the league and Liverpool having won two and drawn three of their quintent of matches under new boss Andoni Iraola.
As we prepare for what promises to be a pulsating, live-televised, meeting at Anfield, we take a look at who the man in the middle will be.
Who are the match officials for Liverpool v Manchester City?
- Referee - Chris Kavanagh
- Assistant Referee 1 - Dan Cook
- Assistant Referee 2 - Nick Greenhalgh
- 4th Official - Andy Madley
- Video Assistant Referees - Paul Howard & Nick Hopton
Lancashire-born official Chris Kavanagh will oversee proceedings at what is sure to be an emotionally-charged Anfield.
The 41-year-old has taken charge of seven fixtures in all competitions this term, including three in the Premier League.
However, this will be the first time that he has officiated a fixture involving either Liverpool or Manchester City this term.
Kavanagh has dished out 16 yellow cards across his trio of top-flight matches as well as a red card to Crystal Palace's Axel Disasi in the Eagles' 3-2 loss at home to Ipswich Town last month.
Last season, he was in charge of nine of Liverpool's matches, including a 3-0 reverse against their upcoming opponents City at the Etihad Stadium.
By contrast, he oversaw just three fxtures featuring City, with Pep Guardiola overseeing his side to 2-0 and 3-0 away successes at Newcastle United and Chelsea coming in addition to that 3-0 home triumph over the Reds.
