Liverpool fans made their disapproval of Manchester City's actions very clear as they chanted "going down, going down" in the latter stages of their win at Anfield.
The Premier League leaders were playing for the first time since being found guilty of 114 financial breaches by an independent commission. The anger among the Liverpool fans was notable, but it didn't impact on the City players themselves.
City's win overshadowed by punishment threat
Three second-half goals helped City secure their sixth win on the bounce to begin the season, but their exploits come amid the threat of major punishments, the most severe being relegation and the stripping of titles.
Liverpool were outclassed in front of their own fans, but as the visitors ran down the clock the home crowd were sure to make the City players know that they could yet be playing in the Championship next season.
Appeal and reaction
City continue to protest their innocence and have appealed the decision. Their period of wrongdoing covered from 2009 to 2018 - and during that time they pipped Liverpool to the Premier League title by two points in 2014.
A host of leading figures within the game believe City's punishment needs to be long lasting, with former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher suggesting they should face a multi-year punishment, which would end up with players leaving, rather than them being relegated and returning within a year.
Maresca on the situation
Pep Guardiola once claimed he would manage City even if they were relegated, and Enzo Maresca refused to be drawn on his future, especially whilst the appeal played out, but equally maintained the players were determined to do their talking on the pitch.
He said: "We completely understand the seriousness of the situation. I'm not saying we don't understand that. We understand, the players understand, but it's our duty, our job to try to control the noise. The managers and the players are focused on winning games, not about something different.
On his own future the Italian added: "I don't know. We are predicting the future. I'm worried about tomorrow, two days, three days, I don't know what's happening in the future. The only thing I can say is that I think it's fair from my point of view, from all of us, that we respect the process. There is an appeal ongoing, we'll see what happens."
