Man City issue statement in relation to chants from supporters during Liverpool FC game

Manchester City have issued a statement condemning a chant from supporters in the first half of their win against Liverpool at the Etihad.

City fans sang 'always the victim, it's never your fault' just before half-time, a chant that has associations with the Hillsborough disaster which killed 97 Liverpool supporters in 1989.

A club statement apologised for any offence those chants had caused and club officials will continue to work with supporters groups and their counterparts at Liverpool to stop the chanting in future games.

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A City spokesperson said: "Manchester City FC are disappointed to have heard inappropriate chants from home fans during today's game.

"We regret any offence these chants may have caused and will continue to work with supporters groups and officials from both clubs to eradicate hateful chanting from this fixture."

There have been a series of flashpoints between the two clubs in fixtures at the Etihad and Anfield in recent seasons and officials from both clubs held talks recently to try and put an end to the rancour between the two sets of supporters.

In the match, City brushed off the absence of Erling Haaland to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal with a resounding 4-1 win over rivals Liverpool.

Liverpool had taken an early lead through Mohamed Salah but Haaland’s replacement Julian Alvarez quickly levelled and the visitors tired after the break.

But two goals early in the second half from Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan gave City a decisive edge before Jack Grealish wrapped up the victory.

The win left City five points behind Arsenal ahead of their 3pm kick-off against Leeds United.

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