lead-art-block.fullscreen-enterExpandEnzo Maresca has hit back at criticism against celebrations at Anfield
Enzo Maresca has hit back at criticism against celebrations at Anfield
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has defended his players’ celebrations after Sunday’s victory at Liverpool.
City won 3-0 at Anfield on Sunday in their first match since the club was found guilty of breaching the Premier League’s financial regulations.
Maresca and his squad have been accused of arrogance and a lack of humility in the way they acted after the final whistle, given the seriousness of the verdict against the club.
Manchester City players celebrate in front of the fans following their 3-0 victory
Manchester City players celebrate in front of the fans following their 3-0 victory (Peter Byrne/PA)
The Italian, however, insists they have nothing to apologise for.
Maresca said: “Criticised for what? We won 0-3 at Anfield. What do you want us to do?
“Even if it was 0-1, it would be exactly the same. We work every day to win games. It’s the only thing that we can think (about), all we can be focused on.
“The rest is just things from outside that we need to deal with, but we were so, so happy inside the pitch and you cannot imagine inside the changing room.”
Maresca hailed the role of City fans and thanked them for their continued to support in circumstances he feels are tougher for them than the players.
An away day to remember! 🍌🩵 pic.twitter.com/76dHmNlv4y
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 12, 2026
He said: “We were very happy on the pitch, sharing time with our fans.
“Probably it has been more tough for our fans than for the players or for me because it’s more complicated.
“If I am an Arsenal fan or (Manchester) United fan and you are a City fan I say, ‘Hey my friend you cheat’ and these kind of things.”
City are back in action on Wednesday as they host holders Paris St Germain in the Champions League.
Former manager Pep Guardiola is expected to be in the crowd as he makes his first visit to the Etihad Stadium since standing down last summer.
Pep Guardiola is expected to be back at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday
Pep Guardiola is expected to be back at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday (Martin Rickett/PA)
The Spaniard has said he wants to show his support for the club in the wake of the judgement by the independent commission.
City have been found guilty of more than 100 breaches of regulations following a financial investigation and face heavy punishment should they fail in an appeal. The club deny wrongdoing and insist they have “irrefutable evidence” to support their case.
Maresca, who was Guardiola’s assistant during their 2022-23 treble-winning campaign, is pleased to see his old boss returning but does not know if he will have time to see the players.
Maresca said: “I spoke with Pep after the (Manchester) United game. I didn’t speak with him after that.
“In case he’s coming, it’s a nice feeling – especially for him, because this has been his house for 10 years and it’s still his house, for what he has done here. It’s exciting for everyone.
Maresca used to be part of Guardiola’s backroom team
Maresca used to be part of Guardiola’s backroom team (Richard Sellers/PA)
“I don’t know his plan. I don’t know if he is coming straight to the stadium or the training ground.”
It is City’s 16th successive season in the Champions League and, while Maresca accepts a punishment could end that run, he is focusing only on the football.
He said: “The Champions League, for this organisation, is so so important, no doubt.
“We’re going to try to improve compared to the last two or three years where the team struggled a little bit.
“Where we can be in March or April, or if this is the last Champions League for a while, I don’t know.”