Maresca faces Man City verdict: full trust in club and focus on Anfield

Enzo Maresca faced the press on Thursday for the first time since an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of breaking 114 Premier League financial rules. The Italian coach struck a defiant tone, closed ranks around his employers and made it clear his energy is focused on Sunday's visit to Anfield, where Liverpool await in a charged atmosphere following the ruling.

• Maresca reiterated his complete trust in Manchester City and insisted his focus is only on football.
• The club has already lodged an appeal against the independent commission's verdict.
• City travel to Anfield on Sunday at 4.30pm as the Premier League returns to action.
• Erling Haaland called on the squad to stick together and stay positive after the ruling.
• Several Premier League managers declined to comment on the case, pointing to the ongoing legal process.

Maresca's stance after the Manchester City verdict

The manager addressed questions about the ruling that found City guilty of more than a hundred breaches between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. Maresca said he knows the people running the club and that his faith in them remains absolute, while insisting his mind is entirely on football matters.

I trust the club because I know the people, but I promise you that my focus is just about football. I'm not thinking about different things, first of all because I don't understand many things about them, so I just focus on the things I can control and that is the football side.

The manager also admitted the issue has been a major topic of conversation within the dressing room, a group that must now block out the noise to prepare for one of the most demanding fixtures on the calendar.

Liverpool and Manchester City, the clash that reopens the Premier League

The league's return after the international break brings a fixture loaded with symbolism: two direct title rivals meet at Anfield right after the seismic ruling that has shaken the foundations of English football. Liverpool are among the clubs most affected by what the commission described as sham contracts and disguised funding worth more than £900 million across nine years.

The game kicks off on Sunday at 4.30pm and will be shown live on Sky Sports. A hostile atmosphere awaits Maresca's side, who need a result to keep pace in a season that threatens to descend into chaos.

Haaland calls for unity and a positive mindset

Erling Haaland sent a clear message to Manchester City fans and the dressing room alike. The Norwegian striker urged the team to stay together and keep a positive attitude as they prepare to return to action for the first time since the verdict was announced.

The club has maintained its innocence and has formally submitted an appeal against the decision. Across football, speculation continues to mount over the possible sanctions City could face, from points deductions to other disciplinary measures.

Premier League bosses hide behind the ongoing process

Most managers who spoke to the media this week opted against being drawn into the Manchester City case. In general, they deferred to the relevant authorities and stressed that the legal process is still open, meaning it is not their place to comment.

The reactions from Le Bris, Jaissle and Farke

Sunderland's Regis Le Bris was the most pointed without directly naming City. He reminded everyone that football has rules on and off the pitch, that they must be respected, and that when they are broken there should be consequences or the competition loses its value.

Newcastle's Matthias Jaissle said he is not in a position to judge and pointed to authorities handling what he called a clear process. Meanwhile, Leeds boss Daniel Farke insisted his topic is football and preferred to leave the case to people far more qualified than him.

Arteta and Carrick round off the press conference schedule

More voices from the dugouts will follow on Thursday afternoon. Mikel Arteta, fresh from signing a new contract with Arsenal, will speak to the media and could address both his new deal and the saga surrounding a club where he spent several years as an assistant to Pep Guardiola.

Michael Carrick, meanwhile, will preview Manchester United's huge match against Tottenham, a game with major implications for both sides. Both press conferences are scheduled for 1.30pm.