Maresca insists Man City 'trust the club' and are unaffected before Liverpool trip
Manchester City head to Anfield this Sunday for their first game since being found guilty on the majority of their 115 Premier League charges, and much of the build-up has centred on how Enzo Maresca's side will respond.
Liverpool.com reports that Maresca is "feeling calm" ahead of the match, despite expecting Liverpool to make life tough for City at Anfield (Liverpool.com). The same outlet says Maresca has made "an admission" about the guilty verdict, insisting his players' focus "will be unaffected by the off-field issues going on in the background" (Liverpool.com). Liverpool.com also notes that this will be City's first game back since the verdict on the majority of the 115 charges, and that Liverpool fans are "in agreement" over what to expect from Sunday's clash (Liverpool.com).
This Is Anfield quotes Maresca directly on the matter, with the City boss stating "we trust the club completely" when responding to the guilty verdict (This Is Anfield). That sentiment of calm and loyalty to the club chimes with the other reports, though Liverpool.com separately suggests Maresca is "always concerned" even as he faces up to the reality of the Liverpool test, striking a slightly more cautious tone than his public quotes might suggest (Liverpool.com).
The Liverpool Echo adds further detail, reporting that Maresca spoke to the media for the first time since City were found guilty on "114 financial charges" by the Premier League, slightly differing in figure from the "115 charges" referenced elsewhere. The Echo says Maresca made a "bold" prediction about City's ongoing appeal as well as an admission about playing at Anfield (Liverpool Echo).
Taken together, the outlets agree on the key facts: City's visit to Liverpool comes immediately after the guilty verdict, and Maresca is publicly projecting calm, trust in the club, and confidence that his players will not be distracted. Where they differ is in tone and emphasis - This Is Anfield and the Echo focus on Maresca's direct quotes and his appeal prediction, while Liverpool.com's multiple pieces explore the wider context, including fan reaction and suggestions that Maresca remains "concerned" beneath the composed exterior.
With City's legal situation still unresolved and an appeal looming, all the reports point to a tense backdrop heading into a huge Premier League fixture at Anfield.
Written with the help of AI, using the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.
