Enzo Maresca challenges his Manchester City players to ‘make our own noise’

Enzo Maresca challenged Manchester City to continue making their own “noise” after a comprehensive victory in their first match since the club was found guilty of breaching financial regulations.

The Premier League leaders thrashed Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield on Sunday in a powerful statement by Maresca and his players after a turbulent few weeks.

City could face a huge punishment including points deductions and even expulsion if they fail in their appeal against the verdict of an independent commission, which ruled on more than 100 charges of breaking Premier League rules.

Maresca this week referred to discourse surrounding the club as “noise” and he maintained that theme after his side produced a dominant display amid a hostile atmosphere.

The Italian said: “It was not easy for the players after the last two or three weeks but I felt they dealt with the situation very good.

“We need to learn how to deal with the outside noise. Because of the situation the noise will always be there.

“At the same time we need to try to make our own noise. That is to win games, like we have done today.

“At the end of the game our fans were signing, so the noise was from us and not from the environment.”

City were taunted throughout the game by Liverpool fans with booing and numerous chants about the situation, most of which referred to the visitors as “cheats”.

There had been suggestions members of the club’s hierarchy would not attend but chief executive Ferran Soriano was present along with other senior figures.

Maresca felt that was an important show of support from the club, who have maintained their innocence and are confident of winning their appeal.

Maresca said: “Ferran was there, (sporting director) Hugo (Viana) was there. We were all together.

“For the importance of the game, Liverpool away, Anfield, I think it’s a good idea from the club to be all together. That togetherness at this moment is what we need.”

City’s supporters were also defiant, with many waving inflatable bananas in a fun throwback to a different era, and Maresca was pleased to reward their loyalty.

He said: “It is a great result for sure. At this moment all the organisation needs this kind of win. It’s good for us as a coaching staff, good for the players, for the fans, the organisation. This kind of win is good for all the club.”

After an uneventful first half, City took command after the 62nd-minute sending-off of Ryan Gravenberch, easing to victory with goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki.

It was Liverpool’s first defeat under Andoni Iraola, who said: “I think we played two games. We were the better team until the red card and they were better than us, obviously, after the red card.

“They scored the goals but I think the players deserve credit because I think they’ve given everything, and I also think the supporters have been fantastic.”

City’s win maintained their 100 per cent start to the campaign but, with the threat of punishment hanging over them, its true meaning cannot be evaluated.

Iraola said: “The uncertainty is not good for anyone but it is what it is, we cannot change it. We have to wait.

“We still lost the game.”

Published: 12/10/2026 by Radio NewsHub