Liverpool contacted the Premier League to encourage them to launch an investigation into Manchester City's spending after a similar enquiry was opened by UEFA.

The European governing body began looking into City's financial affairs after leaked documents suggested that the champions may have contravened regulations on spending under Financial Fair Play rules.

The Premier League statement said: ‘The Premier League has previously contacted Manchester City to request information regarding recent allegations and is in ongoing dialogue with the club. The League has detailed financial regulations and strong rules in the areas of Academy player recruitment and third-party ownership.

Read also: He is now 100% (running), that’s good. It looks good - ​Jurgen Klopp Sets a Timeline for the Return of Joe Gomez

‘We are investigating these matters and will allow Manchester City every opportunity to explain the context and detail surrounding them.’

And Liverpool - as well as another club under American ownership, Crystal Palace - jostled the Premier League to launch their own enquiry into the way City built their title-winning side.

That impulse to act is likely to have been an import of US sports culture, where financial regulations are implemented and enforced to a much more rigorous extent than is traditional in the UK.

The club has said that they welcomed the UEFA investigation and intend to co-operate.