Enzo Maresca said Manchester City must create “their own noise” by winning matches as they seek to shut out the fallout from being found guilty of more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations.
Key takeaways
- City defeated 10-man Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield in their first fixture after the commission’s verdict.
- Maresca has won each of his first eight matches in charge across all competitions.
- The Premier League leaders are three points clear, although their appeal could determine the wider implications for their season.
- Ryan Gravenberch’s dismissal on the hour opened the way for City’s decisive late burst.
- Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola suffered his first defeat, with his team left ninth and nine points behind the summit.
City block out outside pressure at Anfield
City’s first game since the dramatic ruling brought no obvious signs of distraction. They overcame a hostile Anfield setting on Sunday, dismissing Liverpool 3-0 despite ongoing uncertainty about any punishment that may follow.
Maresca has made an exceptional beginning to the formidable assignment of succeeding Pep Guardiola. The Italian’s perfect eight-match record has put City three points ahead at the top of the table.
However, the eventual shape of their title bid may depend on the outcome of the club’s appeal against the independent commission’s decision.
“The last two or three weeks have not been easy for the players, but they handled it very well,” Maresca said. “I told them during the week that we have to learn to cope with the noise from outside, while making our own noise by winning games.
“Our supporters were singing at the end, so the noise came from us.”
City capitalised fully after Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch was sent off in the 60th minute, a moment that changed the course of the contest.
Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki scored within a 13-minute stretch following Gravenberch’s exit. The result marked only City’s second victory at Anfield since 2003.
“Winning 3-0 at Anfield is obviously a fantastic result,” Maresca added. “At this time, everyone in the organisation needed a victory like this. It is important for the coaching staff, the players and the whole organisation. It benefits the entire club.”
The City manager also rejected the idea that the pending appeal had reduced his enjoyment of the result or made the points feel less significant.
“You cannot imagine how happy I am,” he said. “My role is to prepare for matches and try to win them. Hopefully, when we win the appeal, I can speak about this situation.”
Liverpool left to rue Gravenberch red card
The loss was Iraola’s first since taking charge of Liverpool, who are now ninth in the Premier League and trail the leaders by nine points.
Liverpool were also hampered by the absence of injured players Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo.
Nevertheless, Iraola felt his side had been superior before Gravenberch received two yellow cards in quick succession in a controversial dismissal.
“It was effectively two different matches: one before the red card and another from that point until the end,” the Spaniard said.
“We were the stronger team before the sending-off. Afterwards they were clearly better than us, and they scored the goals.”
