According to The Telegraph, Liverpool supporters are planning to display a specially designed banner at Anfield during the match against Manchester City to protest against the club’s alleged financial rule breaches.

It is an unlikely title for a banner: “Acquiesce”, the name of an Oasis song. Yet the word will stand out from the Kop, emblazoned across a piece of fabric. The simple red banner will carry a blunt message beneath it: “CHEATS CITY”. It has been designed specifically for the return of domestic football to Anfield.

Given the atmosphere surrounding Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, few people are likely to acquiesce to what they see as wrongdoing, and Sunday will be no exception. However, people in Merseyside made up their minds a long time ago about how far City have gone in their pursuit of success.

“There are lots of rumours flying around about all sorts of things,” explained John Gibbons, a presenter on the popular Liverpool podcast The Anfield Wrap. “City are trying to suggest that they are going to be unfairly treated, but Liverpool fans aren't surprised by these allegations, are they?”

“Liverpool fans who go to matches have always known that a lot of the sponsorship deals looked questionable. Were they really legitimate? So whenever City have come here in the past, the atmosphere has always been special, and I expect it to be the same this time.”

Anfield is therefore expected to be rocking, with a deafening atmosphere, as one of the most significant moments in Premier League history unfolds. The occasion carries enormous weight, and that may become even more apparent when the final whistle blows. However, it is difficult to view the match purely through the lens of football.

Ever since an independent panel reportedly found Manchester City guilty of 114 of the 115 alleged financial breaches, speculation has been rife across the country about what will happen when they arrive at Anfield Road.

“We understand everything that happens outside football, and I understand it too,” Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola said when asked whether he understood the anger among supporters in the stands. “Every fan will have their own opinions and attitudes, but that is not something I can control.”

There will undoubtedly be concerns that scenes similar to those before Liverpool's Champions League quarter-final first leg against City in April 2018 could be repeated. On that occasion, City's team bus was pelted with objects, smashing its front windows and further damaging the already fragile relationship between the two clubs.

Such an incident must never happen again. Remarkably, Merseyside Police made no arrests eight years ago, a failure that City reportedly found difficult to believe. The police response will now come under scrutiny. Understandably, officers will not disclose the specifics of their operation, but an increased police presence is expected around the stadium.

That is a sensible precaution. Social media has been awash with misinformation this week. The latest example appeared on Friday, when a screenshot purporting to show an away-fan ticket went viral. The ticket displayed the serial number “115” in one corner, prompting claims that all Manchester City tickets carried the same number as a dig at the club's alleged financial violations.

The reality? There is no seat numbered 115 in the away section. All 3,058 away seats are numbered only up to 111, and there is no entire block of seats numbered 115. Liverpool have a reputation to protect and will not do anything that could damage it.

Those stirring up hostility between rival supporters online are overlooking one crucial point: the allegations against Manchester City have nothing to do with City fans themselves or the team selected by Enzo Maresca.

The focus should instead be on the executive boxes behind the lower tier of the Main Stand and the representatives attending on Manchester City's behalf. The visiting club is required to provide Liverpool with a list of attending executives just 24 hours before the match. That list will be kept strictly confidential.

It would hardly be surprising if the low rumble of an aircraft were heard above Anfield during the match. Nor would it be shocking if the pre-match playlist were packed with songs hinting at the controversy. If a track by the punk rock band Sham 69 suddenly came on, don't be surprised.

Alternatively — and this possibility must also be considered — Liverpool and their supporters may devote no energy at all to thinking about Manchester City, regardless of their grievances over previous title races. Instead, they may concentrate on creating an atmosphere that inspires Iraola's team.

“We could spend all day discussing what things would look like if every club competed on a level playing field, just as Manchester United, Arsenal, Stoke City and others have done, but there is no point,” explained lifelong Liverpool supporter and regular Anfield attendee Patrick O'Hanlon.

“People will continue to attack Manchester City, and that is up to them. But this is exactly the kind of attention they thrive on. Even if the criticism is completely misplaced, they will once again become the centre of attention. Personally, and for the good of the sport, I won't give them any attention. They won't receive any special treatment. Our fans won't do anything excessive, and there won't be a bus welcome.

“Let them get on with it. Treat it like an ordinary match and focus on what happens on the pitch. There is always a huge amount of noise surrounding away games, but that can actually work in their favour. They have appealed, and according to some people inside the clubs, that appeal will be successful.

“If it isn't, then fans, commentators, pundits and the media can criticise them all they want. Either way, their success will forever be tainted.”

Gibbons agreed, saying: “When we have played City in the past, we have known that we needed to give everything. We have to be the ones who can turn the tide. I hope everyone can channel their frustration, anger and intelligence into creating an atmosphere that supports the team.”

The stands are likely to be filled with taunts, the banners with contempt and the air with anger. Yet none of that will change the challenge facing Iraola and a Liverpool side that have managed just four Premier League wins at Anfield over the past ten months.

Manchester City will discover that Anfield is a difficult place to visit. However, the match could prove equally challenging for Liverpool.

“I need to do my job and make sure we perform at our best competitively so that all our supporters can be happy on Sunday,” Iraola said. “This is a challenging match for us. Everyone knows that if we don't give everything, it will be a very difficult game.

“So all the players are fully focused, and everyone is willing to take on board all the information we need to prepare properly, win the game and perform at our best, because that is the only way we can win.”