Maresca Stands Tall: City Celebrate Anfield Win Amid Controversy

Enzo Maresca, the manager of Manchester City, is firmly backing his players' jubilant celebrations after their 3-0 triumph over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. This match marked City's first outing since an independent commission found them guilty of multiple financial rule violations in the Premier League, a verdict they are appealing and vehemently contesting. Following the final whistle, City’s players were seen reveling with their traveling supporters, celebrating goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, and Rayan Cherki. However, this joyous display drew criticism across social media platforms. Responding to the backlash, Maresca stated, "Criticised for what? We won 3-0 at Anfield. What do you want us to do?" He emphasized that his team’s focus remains on winning, saying, "We work every day to win games. The rest is just outside noise we need to manage. We were incredibly happy on the pitch and in the dressing room." City's captain, Ruben Dias, who played the entire match, echoed his manager's sentiments. "I completely back the manager's words. Winning at Anfield is a significant achievement, and we will celebrate it regardless of the circumstances, whether early or late in the season. It shows how much this victory means to us." Dias acknowledged that reactions to their success are often mixed, adding, "Whenever you win, there are always those who are unhappy because they share the same ambition. But we know how tough it is to secure three points at Anfield, and that’s what drives us." The captain also revealed that the squad convened shortly after the guilty verdict was announced on September 29. "We felt it was crucial to have a conversation right after we returned from the international break. We wanted to ensure everyone was aligned and at peace, allowing us to move forward together." As City gears up to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, the focus remains on their performance and the pursuit of more victories.