Premier League returns after three-week break as Manchester City saga rumbles on

Liverpool will host league leaders Man City at Anfield in weekend's standout fixture [SINGAPORE] After a lengthy three-week pause, the English Premier League (EPL) is finally back this weekend - but the international break has been anything but quiet off the pitch. The action resumes with Manchester City still top of the table, the defending champions Arsenal looking to regain momentum, and several early season surprise packages eager to make their mark.

But with City's financial case dominating the headlines during the international break, all eyes will be on whether the early leaders can keep their perfect start intact. This weekend, the focus will shift back to the pitch - although for City, it will be almost impossible to escape the global scrutiny amid the controversy.

Manchester City: From perfect start to stormy break The blue side of Manchester could not have asked for a better start under new manager Enzo Maresca. After Pep Guardiola's departure, there were plenty of questions about whether the club could maintain its dominance without the manager who had delivered six EPL titles.

Those doubts only grew after City were beaten 3-0 by Arsenal during the Community Shield in August. But City responded emphatically once the league began: five games, five wins, 15 points and three points clear at the top.

The Business Times turns 50 Five decades of milestones and moments that shaped Singapore's success story - told through our headlines. Explore BT50 Then came the international break - and the questions have now changed.

An independent commission found the clubguilty of serious financial breachesbetween 2009 and 2018. The charges City face include providing false financial information and receiving inflated sponsorship revenue from firms linked to the club's owners.

Penalties could include a points deduction in the standings, a fine or even expulsion from the EPL. City have denied the accusations and appealed the verdict.

SEE ALSO For now, City remain free to compete. But the timing could hardly be more awkward and dramatic.

City's first match since the drama unfolded will be against sixth-placed Liverpool on Sunday (Oct 11, 11.30 pm kickoff, Singapore time). The Anfield crowd is unlikely to offer a quiet welcome to the visitors.