Man City can prove point to fans and do what Liverpool and Manchester United would not

In an ongoing battle to show they are still connected with their fans, Manchester City have a clear opportunity to stand out from other clubs

There was a bumper crowd of Liverpool fans at Manchester City on Saturday to take advantage of the extra allocation offered by the FA Cup, yet thousands had left by the time the hour-mark passed. With the Anfield club 4-0 down, many decided to cut their losses on a humiliating afternoon for the team.

The problem for many Liverpool fans is that they don't know when their next good day will be. Many are fearful ahead of the Champions League quarter-final with Paris Saint-Germain that another hiding could be carried out, while when Arne Slot and his players are next at Anfield they will be greeted by protest.

Irrespective of concerns over the squad or the manager, Liverpool fan group Spirit of Shankly has launched a campaign called 'Not a pound in the ground', calling on supporters to buy food and drink away from Anfield after being left furious by the club's decision to announce increased season ticket prices for the next three years despite increasing their ticket revenue year on year by 27 per cent.

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"Liverpool FC has chosen to ignore clear, overwhelming opposition from its own supporters and push ahead with plans to increase ticket prices. Fans do not accept this decision. And if the club's owners won't listen, then we make them," a statement read.

"This is no longer about consultation. That opportunity has been and gone. This is about action. If it goes unchallenged, it sets a precedent. Not just for Liverpool, but across the game."

It really isn't many years back that season ticket holders would be mocked or criticised for being up in arms at a decision that will likely cost them a couple of pounds per game. Some still say it of course, but the conversation has become less tribal as fans of each club have realised that a few pounds each year adds up to a lot and that for all their differences they are all suffering from similar treatment.

United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has not exactly shown himself to understand a football club or their supporters during his time in charge, sparked anger a few years ago by declaring: "I don't think it makes sense for a Manchester United ticket to cost less than a ticket to see Fulham," despite the obvious difference in wealth between Trafford and Hammersmith.

Freezing season tickets was one of the only things that the Glazers did that placated fans, but after 11 years the rises began and last month brought news that another five per cent is being slapped on.

Which brings us to City, where the time for season ticket prices is approaching. There will be extra interest in it for the 2026/27 campaign not only because there will be 7,000 extra capacity with the extended North Stand but also because fans still don't know whether or not they will be watching a Pep Guardiola team given the continued uncertainty around his future.

City fans helped to stop plans to raise tickets last season, with the club not only freezing season ticket prices after being struck by the depth of opposition to an increase, but also going one step further and reducing the cost of matchday tickets. That helped to mark the club out as at least showing willing to keep football affordable for fans at a time when every other club is doing the opposite.

The club have still faced criticism this season, from the controversial decision to relocate 500 fans from behind the goal in the North Stand (and the subsequent lack of communication that those fans have felt) to the unpopular changes to season tickets that have made it much more difficult to transfer tickets while also requiring supporters to attend more games. Empty seats in multiple games during an historically busy run of games in January and February did not give the impression of an arena that will be filled whatever the prices.

There is enough concern about the direction of travel for some supporters to have launched The Citizens Trust, an independent organisation that wants to be a 'missing link' between fans and the club in a chain that many believe is increasingly broken. And the club are listening to some degree, because they have made steps to include fan group 1894 on the official fan board City Matters.

Their next big announcement will go a long way to setting the mood music for the summer. Where Liverpool, United, Arsenal and others have seen fit to raise ticket prices for the 2026/27 season, will City again buck the trend for their most loyal fans?

There will be reasons to increase them - there always are - but for something that won't make an enormous difference to club finances, especially given they have the added revenue from 7,000 extra seats, there is a huge opportunity for City to show their supporters how much they are valued.

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