Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has told his players to focus on winning the Premier League and to 'forget' the outside noise, as the club prepares to face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. The talk around the club has been dominated by the guilty verdict on 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules.
Appeal over £900m revenue ruling
City have appealed the ruling, which concluded that the club 'artificially inflated' their revenue by around £900 million through 'sham' sponsorship deals. If the verdict is upheld, City could face a points deduction or even expulsion from the Premier League as punishment.
All members of the squad returned from international duty on Thursday, where they were addressed by Maresca for the first time. According to the Daily Mail, the City boss had a simple message for his players: “Forget the noise,” he reportedly said. “We’re here to win a league. Let’s go and win the league.” His address is reported to have left the squad 'ready to go to war.'
Anfield atmosphere expected to intensify
The situation is expected to prompt an even more intense atmosphere than usual at Anfield, with Liverpool fans not missing the opportunity to make their feelings and anger towards City known. City go into the match with a 100 per cent winning record under Maresca, meaning that they sit top of the table. Liverpool, meanwhile, are in seventh position in the league, having won two and drawn three of their opening five games.
Maresca confident in appeal
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Maresca outlined his confidence that the club would win the appeal and, therefore, avoid sanctions. "I spoke with the club and we all trusted each other," he said. "The right moment to speak is when we win this appeal. Now there is no sense to speak about this because I don’t have the information. We are predicting the future. I think it’s fair from my point of view, from all of us, to respect the process. There is an appeal ongoing. Let’s see what’s going to happen."
When asked if he would stay with the club if they were relegated, he added: "There is not another club in the world I would like to be. I'm very happy and proud to be here. I've said it since day one."
