Manchester City 3-0 Liverpool: Enzo Maresca says off-field issues are ‘not in my hands’

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca says he will not allow the club’s off-field issues to distract him after his side beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield.

The Italian said his focus was on his team’s tactics and daily training rather than matters beyond football, after City moved to the top of the Premier League with a perfect 18 points from six matches.

Liverpool had held City to a goalless scoreline until midfielder Ryan Gravenberch was sent off in the 62nd minute. Manchester City then scored three times in succession to secure victory, leaving Liverpool on nine points and suffering their first Premier League defeat of the season.

“It was very difficult, the conditions were difficult and the environment was difficult too,” Maresca told Sky Sports. “We struggled in the first half. We had possession of the ball, but we were not effective enough with our movement without it.

“In the second half, we made some adjustments and our performance improved a lot. We were not building attacks in the right way, but we were much better after the break.”

Maresca said Manchester City must learn to cope with the hostile atmosphere they will encounter in away matches.

“We have to learn how to deal with the noise because it will follow us in all our away games – there will be noise,” he said, according to the BBC. “We have to deal with that and create our own noise.

“Our noise is winning matches. The feeling at the end, with our supporters and our noise, is fantastic. It is a special kind of noise.”

Asked whether the atmosphere had been intensified by Manchester City being found guilty of more than 100 financial rule breaches, Maresca said he could not be certain.

“I don’t know exactly,” he said. “I came here once before with City during the treble season, when I was an assistant to Guardiola. It was great to play a match like this amid the noise and excitement.

“We have to make our voice heard and deal with their noise.”

Maresca was also asked whether the issues away from the pitch could provide additional motivation for the team.

“Maybe yes, maybe no. I don’t know,” he replied. “These problems may create a connection with the supporters. I said during the week: show the passion, ignite the passion, and hopefully we can celebrate the victory. That is the only thing we can focus on.”

He said giving the fans a reason to celebrate was particularly important after the club’s success over the past decade.

“Absolutely, for many reasons,” he said. “After 10-15 years of the club winning trophies and following the right procedures to achieve them, then this happens. It is a very bad feeling for them. There is a process under way, and this is not the right moment.”

Maresca praised Manchester City’s goals and singled out Jeremy Doku, while noting the player had only recently returned from injury.

“The goals were excellent – Jeremy was very good, and we have to look after him,” he said. “He is an important player but he has just come back from injury. Everyone’s performance was amazing.”

He added that the extra player made it easier for City to keep possession, but said he was primarily pleased with securing three points.

“I cannot control things outside football, so why should I be anxious?” Maresca said. “I worry about the game plan and the daily training sessions, but the rest is not in my hands.”