Manchester City secured a decisive 3‑0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, and head coach Enzo Maresca praised the club’s leadership for presenting a united front during the match. The win came in City’s first outing since an independent commission found the club guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules, a verdict that has sparked controversy and led to an appeal.
Maresca highlighted the presence of senior City figures in the directors’ box, noting that CEO Ferran Soriano and director of football Hugo Viana were both in attendance. “Ferran was there, Hugo was there,” he said, stressing that the collective support from the club’s hierarchy was important for the team’s performance away from home. The coach added that such togetherness was especially vital given the heightened scrutiny City faces after the commission’s findings.
The match itself saw City dominate from the start, with Erling Haaland and his teammates effectively silencing Liverpool’s supporters. Despite Liverpool reducing the squad to ten men, City’s players maintained focus and capitalised on the opportunity to secure a comprehensive win. Maresca reflected on how the squad has managed the external pressure that has surrounded the club in recent weeks, saying the players had “handled the situation very well” and that they must learn to cope with the “outside noise” that will persist.
Maresca also emphasized the importance of generating positive noise from their own fans. He pointed out that the final minutes were dominated by City supporters singing, turning the atmosphere into a source of motivation rather than a distraction. “To win at Anfield is a great result,” he said, noting that the victory was beneficial for the coaching staff, the players, and the fans alike, and that it reinforced the club’s overall morale.
City has formally appealed the independent commission’s verdict, but the timeline for a final decision remains uncertain. When asked whether the looming threat of sanctions had affected his enjoyment of the win, Maresca replied that he remains focused on preparing for upcoming games and that he hopes to discuss the appeal outcome when the club is ready. The victory at Anfield provides a much-needed boost as City continues to navigate the challenges posed by the regulatory findings while striving for success on the pitch.