Liverpool’s rivalry with Manchester City should not be looked at any differently despite recent events, so says Virgil van Dijk.

Man City beat Liverpool 3-0 on Sunday, with Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki netting after Ryan Gravenberch saw red at Anfield.

The game came on the back of an international break in which City were found guilty of having breached the Premier League’s financial rules between 2009 and 2018. City have appealed and insist on their innocence.

City and Liverpool had a fierce rivalry when Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp were at the helm, but Van Dijk does not look back on those days any differently in the wake of the guilty verdict.

“No, because I really enjoyed our rivalry and it was a great rivalry on the pitch,” he said.

“What happened off the pitch is for others to find a conclusion on and then let’s see.

Game changer https://t.co/Lh20DiJKmv

— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 12, 2026

“It’s still a little bit ongoing so I don’t think it’s smart for me to comment on it right now but when the verdict comes out I will definitely have my opinion and I will probably share it as well. But for now I don’t think it’s a smart thing to do.”

City’s players were jeered throughout by the home crowd, with sections of Liverpool’s support chanting “cheats” towards the end of the match.

“I think everyone could hear it,” Van Dijk said.

“Everyone can share their feelings and I don’t think Anfield will be the only place where it will be the case because fans will have their feelings but for players I don’t think it is a good idea at this moment in time.”