Maresca Defends Man City Celebrations After Anfield Win
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has defended his side’s celebrations after the 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield, insisting the players had every reason to mark an important away victory despite the club’s ongoing case with the Premier League.
Why the response matters for City
The result was City’s first match after an independent commission found the club guilty of breaches of Premier League financial rules. City have lodged a formal appeal against that decision, but the verdict has brought renewed scrutiny and criticism from rival supporters.
| Fixture | Result | Upcoming match |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool vs Manchester City | 0-3 | Manchester City vs Paris Saint-Germain, Tuesday |
Maresca said the reaction at full-time reflected the work put in by the squad rather than any response to the case away from the pitch. He pointed out that winning at Anfield is difficult regardless of the margin, and said his players focus each day on securing results.
“We won 3-0 at Anfield. What are we supposed to do?” Maresca said. He added that the dressing room was delighted with the three points and that outside issues must be managed separately from the team’s football.
City captain Rúben Dias supported his manager’s position. The Portugal international said the group would continue to celebrate results in the way that feels right at the time, describing it as an expression of how much those wins mean to the players.
Dias also said the squad remain calm about the legal process and have confidence in the club following its appeal against the commission’s ruling.
Maresca believes the situation has been more difficult for City supporters than for the players and coaching staff, particularly amid taunts from fans of Arsenal, Manchester United and other rivals. He again stressed that the group’s immediate concern is football and the challenge of maintaining its results.
City now return to the Etihad Stadium for their first home match since the verdict, with reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain due to visit on Tuesday.
