Liverpool is expected to make life tough for Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, but head coach Enzo Maresca is feeling calm ahead of the anticipated Premier League matchup
Enzo Maresca speaking during an interview with Manchester City
Enzo Maresca broke his silence after Manchester City's guilty verdict(Image: Manchester City)
Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca insists he and his players still trust the club despite it being found guilty of the Premier League’s charges.
City will head to Anfield on Sunday to take on Liverpool amid the backdrop of the scandal that has enveloped it and the Premier League. The Etihad club was found guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules and was accused of arranging “sham” contracts.
An appeal has been launched as City maintains its innocence, but calls are growing for the club to be expelled from the league as the wait continues for any potential sanctions to be decided.
In the meantime, focus will turn back towards the pitch, with Liverpool set to be the first club to host its rival since the guilty verdict was confirmed.
City’s players and fans have been warned to expect a “brutal” atmosphere at Anfield this weekend, with the Reds one of the clubs that missed out on a Premier League title during the nine years under investigation, having finished second to City in the 2013/14 season.
Despite the ongoing furore around his club, Maresca - who took over from Pep Guardiola during the summer - has voiced his support for City’s owners.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Manchester City, celebrates with his players after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester City and Sunderland at Etihad Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Enzo Maresca insists Manchester City's squad still trusts the club's owners
“Personally I’m very calm to be honest,” he said in an interview for the club. “The club has been quite clear. We trust completely the club.
“We understand the noise but the focus for us is just what we can control and we can control just the football side.”
Maresca added: “The feeling is fantastic, to be honest. The players are excited for the next two games. But especially they are excited because in this moment we are top of the league.
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“The players are just focused on that. They know what we can control is the football side – they are not worried at all about different things.
“They know their profession and they know that the noise is there but they don’t care too much about the noise. They are just focused in this moment on how we can bear Liverpool and how, together with the fans, we can try to win in Anfield.”
Maresca’s comments come after Erling Haaland became the first member of City’s squad to break their silence, with the striker sending a message to the club’s supporters ahead of their trip to Anfield.
Erling Haaland speaking to Sky Sports
Erling Haaland sent a message to Manchester City fans ahead of facing Liverpool(Image: Sky Sports)
“Yeah, I think they’re going to have a good time,” Haaland told Sky Sports when asked for a message to City fans heading to Liverpool.
“We have to stick together, we have to stay with each other and we have to stay positive.
“No matter what happens in life, we always have to have a smile, so we have to stay positive, look ahead and try to win football games, and then try to enjoy the situation and the game.
“As I said, we have to stick together, and we have to spread the love to each other. So yeah, stick together and enjoy the ride and smile.”