Maresca says Manchester City must answer the noise with victories after Liverpool win

Enzo Maresca said Manchester City could not control the noise surrounding the club but could respond by winning matches, after their 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield.

The Italian manager acknowledged that City struggled in the first half of Sunday’s Premier League meeting, but praised the team’s response after the interval. The match remained goalless until Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch was sent off in the 62nd minute, after which City scored three times to secure a convincing victory.

“The circumstances were extremely difficult, and the environment was difficult as well,” Maresca told Sky Sports. “We suffered in the first half. We had possession of the ball, but we were not effective enough in our movement without it.

“In the second half, we made some adjustments and our performance improved a lot. We were not building attacks in the right way, but we were much better after the break.”

Asked about the atmosphere at Anfield, Maresca said City would have to become accustomed to hostile environments away from home.

“We have to learn how to deal with the noise because it will be with us in every away match – there will be noise,” he told BBC Sport. “We have to deal with that and create our own noise.

“Our noise is winning matches. The feeling at the end of the game with our supporters and our noise was fantastic. It was a special kind of noise.”

Maresca was then asked whether the atmosphere had been more intense because of Manchester City being found guilty of more than 100 alleged financial rule breaches.

“I don’t know exactly,” he said. “I came here once before with City during the treble season, when I was an assistant to Guardiola. It was great to play a match like this amid all that noise and intensity.

“We have to make our voices heard and deal with their noise.”

On whether the issues away from the pitch could motivate the team, Maresca added: “Maybe yes, maybe no. I don’t know. These problems can perhaps create a stronger bond with the supporters.

“I said during the week: show your passion, ignite the passion, and hopefully we can celebrate a victory. That is the only thing we can focus on.”

Maresca said giving the fans something to celebrate was particularly important after the club’s success over the past decade.

“Definitely, for many reasons,” he said. “After 10 or 15 years of the club winning trophies and following the right procedures to achieve them, then this happens. It is a very bad feeling for them. There is a process under way, and this is not the right moment.”

He praised Jeremy Doku, while stressing the importance of managing the winger’s return from injury.

“The goals were excellent. Jeremy was very good and we have to look after him,” Maresca said. “He is an important player, but he has only just returned from injury. Everyone’s performance was outstanding.”

He added: “With an extra player, it became easier to keep the ball, but I am very happy with the three points.”

Asked whether events away from football caused him stress, Maresca replied: “I cannot control things outside football, so why should I get stressed? I stress about the game plan and the daily training sessions, but the rest is not in my hands.”

Manchester City have 18 points from six matches at the top of the Premier League, while Liverpool remain on nine points after suffering their first league defeat of the season.