Manchester City are concerned that their coach could again being attacked at Anfield.
The Premier League champions will take on Liverpool in Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash but have expressed fears of a repeat of their 2018 pre-match ordeal.
Bottles, cans and flares were thrown at the bus carrying City’s squad by Liverpool fans as it made its way to the stadium for the Champions League quarter-final.
No players or staff were harmed during the incident but the vehicle suffered damage to its windows and was declared unsafe to drive for its return journey.
Merseyside Police launched an investigation into the attack on City’s bus, which took place on Arkles Lane, but were unable to identify or arrest any culprits.
Concerns that another incident could occur at this weekend’s fixture have been heightened by social media posts urging Reds fans to line the stadium’s route.
The anonymous poster implores home supporters to ‘bring your pyro, pints, flags and banners’ and ‘line the streets all the way up Anfield Road and to the ground’.
City have flagged the post as part of routine pre-match discussions with Anfield chiefs and are seeking assurances of their safe passage into the stadium.
Police are currently not anticipating any specific disorder ahead of the game.