Maresca backs Man City hierarchy 'completely' despite £900m guilty verdict ahead of Anfield trip

Enzo Maresca has declared his complete trust in Manchester City’s leadership and described squad morale as “fantastic”, despite the club being found guilty of 114 charges of breaching Premier League financial rules — a verdict that could result in expulsion from the top flight or a points deduction severe enough to guarantee relegation.

An independent commission ruled that City operated “sham” contracts and that disguised funding totalled more than £900m across a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018. City are appealing the verdict, insisting they hold “irrefutable” proof of their innocence.

Maresca, whose side travel to Anfield on Sunday having made a perfect start to the Premier League season, said the noise surrounding the verdict had not unsettled his players.

“Personally, I’m very calm, to be honest,” he told the club’s official website. “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.”

The City manager called on supporters to remain united with the club, drawing on the collective identity he believes has driven their sustained success. “I said many times the reason why this organisation in the last 15 years was top was because from the owner, the CEO, the sporting director, the manager, players, fans, they are all on the same page. And this is fantastic.”

Maresca is understood to have addressed his players directly this week following the international break, though he stressed they are focused solely on matters within their control.

“The players are excited for the next two games,” he added. “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 beat Liverpool and how, together with the fans, we can try to win at Anfield.”

City currently sit top of the Premier League table, and Sunday’s visit to Liverpool represents their first fixture since the commission delivered its ruling — ensuring the match will carry significance far beyond the three points on offer.