Maresca hits back at criticism of Man City celebrations after Liverpool win

City marked their first match since an independent commission found them guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules with a 3-0 win at Anfield on Sunday. The club has appealed the verdict and continues to deny wrongdoing.

The celebrations that followed the final whistle attracted criticism, with Maresca and his players seen jubilantly acknowledging the travelling supporters. Erling Haaland appeared emotional, while the City head coach celebrated enthusiastically on the touchline.

Asked about the reaction to those scenes ahead of Wednesday's Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain, Maresca was unapologetic.

"Criticised for what? We won 3-0 at Anfield. What do you want us to do?" he said.

"We work every day to win games. It's the only thing that we can think about and be focused on. The rest is just things from outside that we need to deal with."

Maresca said the satisfaction inside the dressing room was even greater than what supporters witnessed on the pitch, highlighting the difficulty of securing such a convincing result at Liverpool's home ground.

The Italian also acknowledged that the controversy surrounding the verdict could be more difficult for supporters to navigate than for the players and coaching staff.

"If I am an Arsenal fan or United fan and you are a City fan, I say: 'Hey, my friend, you cheat'. So it is probably tougher for them," he added.

City captain Ruben Dias echoed his manager's stance, arguing that the celebrations reflected the importance of the victory rather than any wider issues surrounding the club.

"I stand by the manager's words. It was a win at Anfield. It was a show of how much it means to us," the Portugal international said.

Dias also insisted that the squad remained composed following the commission's findings, adding that the players trusted the club as the appeal process continued.

Wednesday's clash with European champions PSG will be City's first home fixture since the verdict, placing the spotlight on the Etihad Stadium as the club looks to maintain its focus on the pitch.

The match is also expected to feature a return to the stadium for former manager Pep Guardiola, who stepped aside at the end of last season after a decade in charge that brought 20 trophies.

Maresca welcomed the prospect of Guardiola's return, describing the Etihad as a place where the Spaniard had made a lasting impact.

"This has been his house for 10 years with what he has done here. It's exciting for everyone, for the fans," he said.

Guardiola has already publicly backed his former club following the verdict, telling City supporters that he remained firmly behind them as the legal process unfolded.

"I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever," he wrote on social media. "Let me be clear: we will get through this together."