The Man City mess is unsustainable for the Premier League

It was, in the words of one senior football figure, like "sitting in purgatory". That could be sensed in the reactions at Anfield.

On one side, righteous jubilation, "rising above it". Enzo Marescasat there beaming after hisManchester Cityteam'sbrilliant 3-0 win over Liverpool.

It leaves them with a perfect six wins from six, and again top of the league. And yet that was all to the soundtrack of Liverpoolfans singing "going down".

All so unclear, not least how to feel about it. ThePremier Leaguecan't go on like this, at least in any kind of proper sense.

It's one thing to be talkingabout the effects of the City casefor two weeks before games actually happen. It's another to feel what the actual effects of that are, and the absurdity of watching a game that may not even matter by the end of the season.

There may be an immense difference between playing City before any sanctions and after. Because, while it's easier to be galvanised in the immediate aftermath of a decision like the Premier League.

But will the result even stand? It is that very question that deepened the fury of a lot of football executives watching on.

And that naturally goes beyond their mere enjoyment of a match. It cuts to the impact on the business they work in.

This was the big marquee Super Sunday showpiece and it was instead showcasing just what a mess the Premier League is in. As one argued, "this is a farce that will lead to protest, damage to the integrity and reputation of the competition, and possibly even violence."