Maresca defends Manchester City's Anfield celebrations after verdict

WHAT HAPPENED
Enzo Maresca has rejected criticism of Manchester City's celebrations following their 3-0 win at Liverpool, asking: "Criticised for what?" The match at Anfield was City's first game after an independent commission found the club guilty of charges relating to breaches of Premier League financial rules.

Maresca said the squad focus is on winning matches: "We work every day to win games. It's the only thing that we can think about and be focused on." He added that off-field matters were "things from outside that we need to deal with - but we were so, so, so happy on the pitch, and you cannot imagine inside the changing room." After the game Erling Haaland appeared close to tears in front of City's fans, who included his father Alf-Inge, while Maresca celebrated by pumping his fists.

AHEAD OF PSG
Maresca made his comments at a news conference before Manchester City's Champions League tie with Paris St-Germain. The game will be City's first match at home since the guilty verdict, which City have appealed against. Pep Guardiola is expected to return to the Etihad Stadium for the fixture; Maresca said of his predecessor: "This has been his house for 10 years with what he has done here. It's exciting for everyone, for the fans." It is not known whether Guardiola will address the fans or his former players before the match.

Captain Ruben Dias also defended the reaction at Anfield: "I stand by the manager's words. It was a win at Anfield. It was a show of how much it means to us." On the commission's finding he said: "We are very calm and we trust the club." Guardiola posted on social media after the verdict: "I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever," he wrote.