Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has defended his players after their celebrations following Sunday’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Liverpool attracted criticism on social media.
Second-half goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki secured all three points for City against a Liverpool side reduced to 10 men at Anfield.
The match was City’s first since an independent commission found the club guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.
City continue to deny wrongdoing and have lodged an appeal against the commission’s verdict.
Players celebrated with the travelling supporters at full-time, prompting criticism from some observers who felt the scenes were excessive given the controversy surrounding the club.
However, Maresca rejected those complaints ahead of City’s Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain.
“Criticised for what? We won 3-0 at Anfield. What do you want us to do?” Maresca said.
“I am here today; the players are here today to win tomorrow. We work every day to win games.
“It is the only thing that we can think and focus on. The rest is just things from outside which we need to deal with.
“We were so, so happy from inside the pitch and the dressing room.”
Maresca focused on matters he can control
City submitted their appeal on October 1, with the case expected to be heard by a new three-person panel.
Premier League regulations introduced this season provide a 12-week period for an appeal to be heard, although City could reportedly argue that the new timetable should not apply because the original charges were brought in 2023.
Maresca insisted he would not allow the ongoing legal process or the considerable attention surrounding it to distract him from his responsibilities on the pitch.
“I said many times, I am completely calm and relaxed,” he said.
“I promise you that I stress a lot about the game plan and how we train. I don’t stress about things I don’t control. The message with the players will be the same.
“We know how serious the situation is. Where we can do something is inside the pitch.
“The noise around the team is a big noise, but we need to try to deal with that and try and make our noise, to win games.”
Ruben Dias explains players’ reaction
City captain Ruben Dias backed his manager and said the celebrations reflected the significance of winning at Anfield.
“It’s a win at Anfield,” Dias said. “In whatever circumstance, be it early in the season or late in the season, we will enjoy it just as much and celebrate however we feel in the moment.
“It’s a show of how much it means to us.”
The defender also revealed that City’s players held discussions after the commission’s decision was announced during the international break.
“When it broke, we felt we should have a conversation as soon as we got back,” he said.
“We did, for everyone to be on the same page and be clear about our peace of mind. We moved on from there.”
City’s attention now turns to Wednesday’s Champions League encounter with Paris Saint-Germain as they attempt to ensure the uncertainty surrounding the club does not derail their strong start to the season.
