Manchester City responded to a week of scrutiny with a convincing 3-0 victory over Liverpool on Sunday, October 11, as manager Enzo Maresca called on his players to let their football do the talking.
City’s win at Anfield was their first match since an independent commission issued findings in the Premier League’s financial case against the club. City have appealed the decision and deny wrongdoing. The appeal is ongoing and no punishment has been announced.
Maresca said the team had discussed how to handle the attention around the case. His message was to concentrate on results and create their own noise on the pitch. City supporters could be heard celebrating at the final whistle.
"I said during the week we need to lean how to deal with the outside noise, but make our own noise, which is to win games. Our fans were singing at the end, so the noise was from us."
The score was level at half-time, with Liverpool posing a threat before the break. The game shifted in the second half when midfielder Ryan Gravenberch was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card. Liverpool boss Iraola questioned the decision, arguing that his side had been the better team before the dismissal. He described the match as two different contests: one before the red card and another after it.
City then pressed their advantage against the 10-man hosts. Erling Haaland put the visitors ahead and Jérémy Doku soon extended it with a powerful finish. Rayan Cherki added a third to complete the scoring and seal a significant away win.
Maresca praised Doku’s influence after bringing him on as a substitute, saying the timing of the change worked well. The winger helped create the opening goal before scoring himself.
Asked whether uncertainty over the case could affect how he celebrated the win, Maresca said he was delighted with the result. His job, he said, was to prepare the team and try to win matches. He added that he hoped to discuss the case after City had won their appeal.
The result kept City at the top of the Premier League with a perfect record after six matches. They moved three points clear of second-placed Arsenal.
The defeat was Iraola’s first as Liverpool manager. His side ended the weekend ninth in the table, nine points behind City. Liverpool were also without injured players Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo.
For Maresca, the immediate focus was the response from his players. He said they had dealt well with a difficult atmosphere and the pressure surrounding the club. City’s performance after the red card turned a tight contest into a three-goal win, giving the manager the kind of result he had called for during the week.
City’s appeal remains unresolved, and the commission’s findings and any eventual sanctions remain subject to that process. City now turn to their next fixture, with Maresca looking to maintain the strong start while the off-field case continues.
