Marc Guehi, part of City's leadership group, picked out the positives from the defeat. The England international pointed to the second-half performance as evidence of what the side can do.

PSG had surged into a commanding lead by half-time. Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha all struck before the interval.

Enzo Maresca responded with a triple substitution. City mustered 21 shots in the second half alone. Erling Haaland scored twice, either side of a fourth from Maghnes Akliouche. Enzo Fernandez and Haaland both struck the frame of the goal.

Haaland's first goal took him past Sergio Agüero as City's all-time leading UEFA Champions League scorer. It also made him the quickest player in the history of the competition to reach 60 career goals.

It was City's first home game since an independent panel deemed the club guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules during 2009-18.

Ipswich Town visit the Etihad Stadium this weekend. A victory would send City six points clear at the top of the Premier League table, piling pressure on Arsenal, who travel to Nottingham Forest the following day.

European action returns to the Etihad next week, with AEK Athens the visitors.

'A Disaster' — Benatia's Verdict

Mehdi Benatia laid the blame squarely at Donnarumma's door following City's 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. Enzo Maresca's side found themselves two goals down inside the opening quarter of an hour, and Benatia was unimpressed with the goalkeeper's contribution to both.

'In matches like these, we usually talk about the first quarter of an hour. Here, they conceded two goals in a quarter of an hour, so clearly he bears responsibility for the first goal, and he could have done better.'

He added: 'Then when Manchester City improved and began to come back, he caused a second goal. So the whole match was a disaster [for him].'

The 27-year-old did save a penalty late on to make the scoreline a fraction more respectable, but the damage had long since been done.

The Fourth Goal That Stings Most

Many supporters will point to the fourth goal as the one that stings most. After initially keeping out Maghnes Akliouche's effort, Donnarumma could only watch as the ball looped beyond him and into the net.

City's players, Donnarumma included, will need to take a long, hard look at themselves for the way the match unfolded — particularly during that opening half hour.

Maresca's men were slow out of the blocks and deserved to be behind. They responded well after the interval and carved out a host of chances, but the deficit proved too steep a climb.

Credit where it's due: PSG started the game with real purpose and punished City's sluggishness ruthlessly. It was a lesson in the cost of a slow start at this level.

This article was written by David Tully, a football reporter with fifteen years' experience. He began as an intern at Snack Media, later freelancing across various sites before taking up his current role as content writer for the Football News Network at the start of 2023.

We are an unofficial website and are in no way affiliated with or connected to Manchester City Football Club. This site is intended for use by people over the age of 18 years old.

PSG started flawlessly, scoring three times inside the opening 32 minutes through Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha. Maghnes Akliouche added a fourth later, and City's 2-4 defeat ended an impressive run without loss.

Erling Haaland pulled two goals back, taking his Champions League tally to 60 and climbing to seventh on the competition's all-time scorers list. He overtook Ruud van Nistelrooy and bypassed Sergio Aguero to become City's leading European scorer.

Ndiaye was one of three half-time changes made by Enzo Maresca, replacing Jeremy Doku as City chased the game. The £65 million deadline-day signing from Everton watched the first half from the bench and the second from the pitch, and the difference between the two was stark.

"Of course you have to be clinical. Obviously, you have to be focused as well from the beginning. I feel like if we don't concede these three goals, we go and win the game," the 26-year-old said.

It is a bold claim from a player still settling into a new side. But Ndiaye's second-half evidence had some merit. Maresca's message at the break was simple: attack, be braver, take chances.

"I feel he was proud of the way we reacted [after half-time]. He wanted us to attack, be braver, take chances, try and win. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough, but take that second-half performance, and I feel like we just go and win any game."

That reaction, more than the result, seems to have shaped Ndiaye's view of the night. He revealed the defeat made him realise City can go and win any game, and said Maresca seemed proud of the effort his players put in.

It is a long way from the Guardiola era. Pep Guardiola departed at the end of last season after a decade in east Manchester, and Maresca is a far shot from emulating that success. But the Italian has a squad that believes, and a fixture list that offers a chance to prove it.

City now face an easier patch, starting with home meetings against Ipswich in the Premier League and AEK Athens in the Champions League. Back-to-back fixtures against Napoli and Arsenal at the end of November will tell us more.

For now, the unbeaten run is gone. The conviction, apparently, is not. Sven Jablonski blew the full-time whistle in Paris, and by the time Ndiaye spoke, the first half had already become a lesson rather than a scar.

The defender fronted up after the European champions left Manchester with a 4-2 win, a result that handed Enzo Maresca his first defeat since taking charge.

By the interval, the visitors had scored three without reply. Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha did the damage, with Doue and Dembele striking just 99 seconds apart to leave City's backline reeling.

Guehi didn't shy away from his own part in it.

"First half we need to do a lot better, myself included, for the first two goals," he told City Studios.

His explanation for the collapse was straightforward. PSG simply wanted it more in the duels.

"I think they were a bit more aggressive and won a lot of one-on-one duels in the first half, which allowed them the platform to score those goals."

Playing at home, in front of their own supporters, made the performance harder to swallow.

"More the fact that playing at home, it's not really acceptable, that performance in the first half in front of our fans. I'm just really glad everyone reacted in a positive manner and at least came out fighting."

React they did. Maresca made three changes at the break and City emerged a different proposition, carving out 21 attempts on goal after the restart.

Erling Haaland scored twice and struck the woodwork as an unlikely comeback briefly flickered into life. But Maghnes Akliouche found the net for PSG's fourth, and the fightback ran out of road.

For Guehi, the lesson is simple. City can't rely on outscoring opponents in a shootout every week.

"If we defend better, we give ourselves a good chance of winning the game. So you can't always say we have to score five or six goals to win a game."

He added a warning about the fine margins at this level.

"Any moment you go 50/50 in those challenges or not following your men, they'll exploit it."

Ipswich Town visit the Etihad on Saturday, and City will need to show the second-half version of themselves from the start.

The holders were three goals to the good before half-time, and while Erling Haaland's second-half double gave the scoreline a respectable sheen, the damage had long been done.

[ratings:424d25b4-776b-4fa9-becb-76c8f9342f9f]

First-half collapse

City had actually begun with promise. But that promise was shredded inside 13 minutes when Desire Doue found the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Worse followed almost immediately: Ousmane Dembele doubled the lead 99 seconds later, and by the 32nd minute Vitinha had made it three. The Etihad sat in stunned silence.

Maresca's response was swift and sweeping. Three changes at the break — Matheus Nunes, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Iliman Ndiaye introduced — and the mood lifted.

Enzo Fernandez headed wide before Ndiaye turned provider, crossing for Haaland to halve the deficit after 53 minutes. Game on? Not quite. Nine minutes later Maghnes Akliouche restored the three-goal cushion, pouncing after Gianluigi Donnarumma failed to deal with his initial effort.

City kept coming. Josko Gvardiol had a header cleared off the line, Fernandez struck the woodwork, and Haaland pulled one back from Bouaddi's cross after 75 minutes. The Norwegian then hit the woodwork himself and was denied a hat-trick by Matvey Safonov. At the other end, Donnarumma saved a late penalty from former City forward Ferran Torres — a moment that summed up a chaotic night.

Twenty-seven attempts tells its own story. So does the scoreline.

Haaland makes history

Haaland's double took him to 38 goals in 41 Champions League appearances for City, moving him clear of Sergio Aguero as the club's leading scorer in the competition. A landmark on a night to forget for the team.

The defeat leaves Maresca's side on three points from their opening two Champions League games, following their 2-0 victory at Porto. Ipswich Town visit the Etihad on Saturday.

At half-time, it looked like City might be torn apart. PSG, the back-to-back Champions League winners, played arguably the best football seen from a visiting team at the Etihad in years. The Blues were chasing shadows.

Maresca's changes spark a response

Enzo Maresca made three substitutions at the break, and his team responded. Erling Haaland pulled one back in the 53rd minute, and City pushed forward with purpose. Any hopes of a comeback were dealt a bizarre blow on 61 minutes when Gianluigi Donnarumma contrived to save a Maghnes Akliouche shot into his own net, restoring PSG's three-goal cushion.

Haaland struck again on 75 minutes to make it 4-2, and City continued to fight, pushing PSG back until the final whistle. On another night, they might have taken a point or more.

Maresca was quick to praise his side's character. "We struggled but then in the second half we made changes, adjusted something and we were much better," he told mancity.com. "We are there; my feeling is we are close."

The City manager also revealed that Luis Enrique admitted his side had been "quite lucky" to leave with all three points. "We lost, [but] we can learn from that and move on," Maresca added.

A learning curve for a new-look City

It's easy to forget that this is a new-look City side, still learning to play together under a manager who arrived just three months ago. The first half was a painful lesson, but the second showed tremendous courage and character.

Maresca believes the experience will stand his team in good stead. "From tonight's game, we can learn many things," he said. "Even if we concede two goals against the best team in Europe, we need to do the right things."

There are concerns, not least how PSG tore through City in the opening period. But come the final whistle, there was far more good than bad to take from the match. The lessons learned should set them up for the road ahead.

For all the talk of a seamless transition, this was a night when the cracks showed. PSG have been the benchmark in this competition for more than two seasons, and they played like it — sharp, ruthless, and unbothered by the occasion.

[ratings:424d25b4-776b-4fa9-becb-76c8f9342f9f]

The goals that told the story

The tone was set inside thirteen minutes. Doué found space outside the box and beat the goalkeeper far too easily, the kind of goal that makes a defence look like it is still finding its feet. Two minutes later, PSG scored again. By the time the first half was over, City were chasing shadows.

Vitinha added a third before the break, and the build-up was damning. Rayan Cherki chose not to track back, leaving the midfielder with room to pick his spot from just outside the area. It was a lapse that Maresca addressed at half-time, withdrawing Cherki for the second half.

There was a flicker of resistance after the interval. City pulled one back to make it 3-1, but any hope of a comeback was snuffed out in bizarre fashion. Akliouche's effort towards goal was met by Donnarumma, who punched the ball high into the air, only to watch it drop behind him and into the net.

Erling Haaland's two goals — the second making it 4-2 — added a respectable gloss, but the margin was never truly that close.

A first for Maresca

For Maresca, this was his first loss in a real match since taking charge, and it came at home in the first fixture following the club's guilty verdict on financial fair play charges — a decision that remains under appeal. The timing will not have escaped anyone.

Still, one defeat does not define a campaign. City are not out of the running for the Champions League trophy, and the squad has shown enough already this season to suggest they will respond. But PSG have now set the bar, and City know exactly where they stand.

The midfielder has served his three-match domestic ban after that sending off against Manchester United, and with European duty exempt from the suspension he was always going to be available for this one. He takes his place on a bench that also includes Mateo Kovačić, Rayan Aït-Nouri and Rico Lewis.

Three changes from Anfield

Enzo Maresca has shuffled his pack following the 3-0 win at Liverpool, making three alterations to the side that started on Merseyside.

Abdukodir Khusanov, Joško Gvardiol and Jérémy Doku come in. Matheus Nunes, Nico O'Reilly and Iliman Ndiaye drop out and join Foden among the replacements.

The visitors, of course, arrive as holders of this competition. Maresca's side host them with a fully fit squad at his disposal — no injury concerns to report, which is a rare luxury at this stage of a campaign.

The lineups in full

City: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Abdukodir Khusanov, Rúben Dias, Marc Guehi, Joško Gvardiol, Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernández, Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo, Jérémy Doku, Erling Haaland.

Substitutes: Bettinelli, Rulli, Ndiaye, Kovačić, Aït-Nouri, Reis, Nunes, Bouaddi, O'Reilly, Allan, Foden, Lewis.

PSG: Safonov, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Zaïre-Emery, Fabián Ruiz, Akliouche, Dembélé, Doué.

Substitutes: Chevalier, Beraldo, Zabarnyi, Hernández, Digne, Neves, D. Fernández, Kvaratskhelia, Torres, Godts, Ndjantou.

Guardiola's Return

For Pep Guardiola, this is a homecoming. He spent a decade at the Etihad, winning 20 major trophies after previous spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and he worked alongside Maresca when City claimed the Treble in 2023.

Maresca, who spoke with Guardiola after the Manchester United game but not since, was warm about the prospect of his old colleague walking back through the doors.

"In case he's coming, it's a nice feeling, especially for him because this has been his house for 10 years — it's still his house, for what he has done here! I think it's exciting for everyone."

It was one of Guardiola's final signings, incidentally, that helped shape the current squad. Antoine Semenyo arrived at the Etihad before the Guardiola era closed. Whether that detail matters on Wednesday is another question.

PSG's Form

The visitors arrive with a mixed recent record. They beat Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup to open their season, then went winless across their next four domestic fixtures — dispiriting defeats to Lens and Monaco either side of draws with Rennes and LOSC Lille. Since then, Luis Enrique's side have won four on the bounce.

Maresca isn't taking them lightly.

"The message for tomorrow night is quite easy: We need the perfect game because they are the best team in Europe in this moment; they won the last two UEFA Champions Leagues, so that shows how good they are."

"We need the perfect game, but at the same time, doing our best, I think we can beat them and be happy at the end."

City's Momentum

City go into the game on a perfect start to the 2026/27 season. Sunday's trip to Anfield ended in a dismantling of Liverpool, with Ryan Gravenberch's second yellow card in the 62nd minute opening the door.

Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku scored in quick succession to seal three points and keep the club top of the Premier League ahead of their first Champions League fixture.

Win on Wednesday and City's perfect start extends to nine games in all competitions.

Off the pitch, the club's appeal against the verdict on 114 of 115 charges is ongoing, with a new three-person commission given 12 weeks to conduct a second hearing. That story rumbles on in the background. On the pitch, City have started the season in the only way that matters.

The visitors arrive as back-to-back Champions League winners, having lifted the trophy in 2025 and 2026. Both clubs won their opening league phase fixtures, so something has to give.

Enzo Maresca's side come into the game on the back of a 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield. No fresh injury concerns emerged from that trip, and the entire first-team squad took part in an open training session yesterday.

Phil Foden is available for selection. The midfielder has served his three-match domestic suspension and, because tonight's fixture is a Champions League tie, he comes straight back into contention. His return is timely.

Foden's availability gives Maresca a decision to make in the attacking third. Jeremy Doku could make his first start since the FA Community Shield on the left wing, while Abdukodir Khusanov is an option at right-back, with his recovery pace potentially useful against PSG's wide threat.

In midfield, Enzo Fernandez carried a heavy workload over the international break, and Ayyoub Bouaddi could come in alongside Elliot Anderson. Maresca is expected to make several changes to his starting eleven.

The match also marks Pep Guardiola's scheduled return to the Etihad for the first time since his decade of dominance as City manager. His presence in the stands adds another layer to an already intriguing night.

PSG, managed by Luis Enrique, will provide a stern test. City's recent form suggests they are ready for it.

Manchester City's Champions League campaign continues with a heavyweight clash against Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad tonight. Enzo Maresca's side go into the game on a remarkable run of eight wins from eight, including a 3-0 demolition of Liverpool at Anfield at the weekend. Erling Braut Håland, Jérémy Doku and Rayan Cherki were all on target in that one.

PSG arrive as back-to-back Champions League winners, so this is a proper test of City's credentials. The match kicks off at 8pm BST, which is 3pm on the east coast of the United States and midday for those on Pacific Time.

How to watch

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the game is on TNT Sports and Ultimate, and can be streamed via HBO Max. Almost every Champions League match is available on TNT Sports in that region. In the United States, CBS hold the rights, and fans can tune in on Paramount+.

City have already made a strong start to their European campaign, beating Porto 2-0 away last month thanks to a Håland brace. Later in the league phase, they will welcome AEK Athens, Napoli and Sporting to the Etihad, while travelling to face RB Leipzig, Barcelona and Lens.

For now, all eyes are on tonight's meeting with PSG. Kick-off is at 8pm BST.

Enzo Maresca has never been one to waste words on outside noise. So when the question of Manchester City's on-pitch celebrations at Anfield came up ahead of the Champions League tie with PSG, the response was predictable in its bluntness.

"Criticised for what? We won 0-3 at Anfield! What do you want us to do? And even if it was 0-1, it would be exactly the same."

That was the manager's message, relayed through Sky Sports, and it cut through the manufactured outrage like a knife through butter. City had just dismantled Andoni Iraola's side 3-0 on their own patch. If that doesn't warrant a bit of joy, nothing does.

Maresca wasn't finished there. He went on to explain exactly where his focus lies.

"I'm here today, and the players are here today, to win tomorrow's game. And we work every day to win games. It's the only thing, again, that we can think and be focussed."

It's a sentiment that will resonate with anyone who has watched this City side go about their business. The rest, as Maresca put it, is just noise from outside.

"The rest? It's just things from outside that we need to deal with, but we were so, so, so happy inside the pitch, and you cannot imagine inside the changing room!"

Those celebrations, then, were not for public consumption. They were for the players, the staff, and anyone who understands what a result like that means in the context of a season.

The timing of the criticism is interesting, of course. Until the 115-case reaches its conclusion, every City success will be accompanied by a chorus of disapproval from certain quarters. A guilty verdict was found by the Premier League's commission, and that verdict has been appealed. The saga drags on.

But as Australian comedian Steve Hughes once observed about the modern obsession with taking offence: "Now you have adults going 'I was offended, I was offended and I have rights!' Well so what, be offended, nothing happens. You're an adult, grow up, and deal with it. I was offended! Well, I don't care! Nothing happens when you're offended."

Maresca, it seems, would agree. His team won 3-0 at Anfield. They celebrated. And no amount of finger-wagging will change that.

The manager's focus now shifts to PSG in the Champions League. A tweet from Hayters TV quoted him saying: "We won 3-0 at Anfield, what do you want us to do?" It's a line that will be remembered long after the faux-outrage fades.

Enzo Maresca's side have been relentless, but the visit of the current European champions offers a different kind of examination. PSG, managed by Luis Enrique, have won the competition in each of the past two seasons and know exactly what it takes to go deep in this tournament.

A winning habit built on variety

What stands out about City's sequence is not just the number of victories but the manner of them. Maresca's men have produced dominant, impressive displays against FC Porto, Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Liverpool. The 3-0 win at Anfield on Sunday was the headline result, a statement performance that underlined their current form.

Yet they have also shown a grittier side. A ten-man victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford required character and resilience, while hard-fought wins against Sunderland, Bournemouth and Coventry City proved they can mix it when the game turns scrappy. That adaptability could be crucial against a side of PSG's pedigree.

PSG's mixed start

The visitors arrive in Manchester with a few questions of their own. PSG sit sixth in Ligue One after a slow start to the 2026-27 campaign, having failed to win their opening three league fixtures. They also rested key players early on following their participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

There have been signs of a revival, though. Luis Enrique's side have won their past three Ligue One games, and they opened their Champions League defence with a 6-1 thrashing of Slovan Bratislava. They also claimed the UEFA Super Cup with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa, a reminder of the quality that runs through their squad.

Midfield battle could decide it

The midfield scrap will be fascinating. Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez and, in all likelihood, Rayan Cherki will be tasked with trying to dictate terms against PSG's gold-plated trio of Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha. Win that battle and City will feel confident of extending their run; lose it and PSG have the tools to punish them.

For Maresca, this is the kind of night that reveals where his team truly stands. Eight straight wins is a fine achievement, but doing it against the champions of Europe would send a rather louder message.

The former Liverpool captain was speaking after Doku's game-changing cameo against his old club on Sunday. With the match deadlocked at 0-0, Enzo Maresca sent on the 24-year-old, and the contest shifted almost immediately.

Doku won the foul that saw Ryan Gravenberch dismissed, then had a hand in the first two goals. His deflected cross found Erling Haaland for the opener, before he curled in a solo effort of his own.

I think Doku would walk into 99% of the teams in the Premier League.

That was Gerrard's verdict, and he went further. He recalled watching Doku in an FA Cup final not long ago, describing him as top drawer then, and argued that having such a player to call on from the bench is a luxury few managers enjoy.

Maresca, for his part, can now look to his substitutes and see genuine match-winners. The Italian has quality across defence, midfield and the wide areas. The one glaring exception remains up front.

If Haaland were to pick up an injury, you do wonder how City would cope. The Norwegian is without a natural deputy, and the drop-off would be steep. That is the trade-off of a squad so richly stocked elsewhere.

Doku's contribution off the bench, though, offers a reminder of what Maresca has at his disposal. A game-changer in reserve is a potent weapon, and on this evidence, Gerrard's 99% claim does not look quite so outlandish.

The phrase 'punished but not destroyed' has been doing the rounds, and it is a curious bit of comfort. It suggests the club will take a hit without being wiped out. That is not nothing, but it is hardly a rallying cry either.

There is also a '100%' claim doing the rounds about Erling Haaland's next move. The detail is thin, but the certainty attached to it is striking. If that certainty holds, it could shape what comes next at the Etihad.

For now, the picture remains murky. City are set for a sanction. The scale of it, the timing, and the knock-on effects are all still to be clarified. The club has been here before, in one form or another, but this feels different.

What is clear is that the phrase 'punished but not destroyed' will be tested. It is one thing to say it. It is another to live through it.

Antoine Semenyo played Haaland through on goal, only for his dinked right-foot finish to drift wide. The miss looked costly until Ryan Gravenberch went off three minutes later, and City took the lead three minutes after that.

Jeremy Doku's shot from the left was blocked by Alexis MacAllister, the rebound bouncing across the Liverpool area. Haaland was ready, unleashing a stinging left-footed volley that beat Alisson to give Enzo Maresca's side a 1-0 lead.

Gianluigi Donnarumma was superb in goal, while Ruben Dias led the way as City's captain. Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku unlocked Liverpool when they were there to be beaten.

City's official X post on October 11, 2026, read: 'Who else was going to step up at that moment?' It included the text 'Who else? @Erling' and a link.

Who else was going to step up at that moment?

A crucial afternoon on Merseyside

City's 3-0 win over Liverpool was built on more than just attacking flair. Donnarumma made six saves, and two of them — from Lewis Koumas and Ryan Gravenberch straight after half-time — kept the game from tilting.

Those stops mattered. They came at a point when the home side were pushing, and Donnarumma stood firm.

Using his frame, and his feet

He also dealt with crosses better than he sometimes does. Rather than punching, he used his height and reach to claim the ball with authority. It was a noticeable shift from the goalkeeper who can struggle with set pieces.

With his feet, he was serviceable with short passing, though his long balls up the pitch often went astray. And in the first half, there was even a Cruyff turn — not something you see every week from a goalkeeper at Anfield.

Donnarumma is a pivotal piece of Enzo Maresca's side, and on this evidence, he is also a leader for his team. The Anfield clean sheet was a reminder of what he brings when he is at his best.

The match remained finely balanced until the 62nd minute, when Ryan Gravenberch received his second yellow card for a foul on Jeremy Doku. That moment proved the catalyst. Three minutes later, Erling Haaland broke the deadlock, and City never looked back.

[ratings:4bfbae10-c45e-4c2d-ab3c-1ccdfc54e14c]

Goals from Haaland, Doku and Rayan Cherki sealed the win, with the latter two producing outstanding finishes as City scored three times in thirteen minutes. It was a ruthless efficiency that had been missing from their season until now.

Haaland, speaking to mancity.com after the match, praised the team's character and resilience. "It was tough and hard," he said. "We showed amazing character from Gigio at the back, all the way to the front. I'm so proud of everyone. It's always tough to come here. It's about these times to stay strong mentally and stick together. And do what you can do something about. What we can do is play good football and fight together. That's the only thing we can do."

The victory marks City's first win in such a ruthless manner this season, a timely reminder of their capacity to punish opponents when the opportunity arises. For Liverpool, the red card proved decisive, and City capitalised with clinical precision.

The midfielder was named man of the match after a performance that touched every part of the game. He had more touches than anyone in a City shirt (100), completed more passes (71), won more duels (11), more fouls (8) and more possessions (6). His 7.1 miles covered was the highest in the squad. He also chipped in with an assist.

[ratings:4bfbae10-c45e-4c2d-ab3c-1ccdfc54e14c]

Ryan Gravenberch's second yellow card in the 62nd minute reduced Liverpool to ten men, but by then City had already laid the groundwork for a ruthless evening. Enzo Maresca's side were clinical, and Andoni Iraola's team had no answer.

After the match, Anderson spoke to mancity.com and underlined the spirit within the group.

"We're all so together, more together than ever. And I think we have to be like that. We've got to stick together. And I think it really brings us together I think. It gives you that determination to come out here, everyone is against you, and turn them over, which we did."

That unity is becoming a theme. Anderson, who arrived at City as one of the elite midfielders in the Premier League, is now setting the tone. If the squad is as tight as he says, the rest of the league has a problem.

The former City defender was on punditry duty for Sky Sports as Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki each found the net in a performance that arrived days after an independent panel found the club guilty of the vast majority of the 115 charges brought against them. City will appeal.

[ratings:4bfbae10-c45e-4c2d-ab3c-1ccdfc54e14c]

For Richards, the timing was no coincidence.

"It's difficult because when you're in the dressing room and there's outside noise it makes you stronger," he said, as quoted by BBC Sport.

"It's us against the world. The performance was always going to happen."

That is the mood around the club right now: a siege mentality, whether it was consciously adopted or simply the natural reaction to a week of headlines. City played well at Anfield and were good value for their win, which is not a sentence anyone writes lightly.

The wider picture, though, is messier. Every result from here will be read through the prism of what we now know about how the club went about buying its success. Wins invite question marks. Performances invite question marks. There is no clean way back from that.

Richards knows it. He also knows the dressing room he once occupied. Criticism, in his experience, does not soften players at City — it hardens them. The response was always going to arrive at some point. It arrived at Anfield, of all places.

The appeal will run its course. The football, meanwhile, keeps happening.

First Half: Semenyo Shines in a Stop-Start Opening

The first half was a scrappy, stop-start affair. City never really found their rhythm, and it showed in the stands as much as on the pitch. The one bright spot was Semenyo, who was constantly looking to attack. He put two passes right in front of Liverpool's goal, only for no teammate to be around to tap the ball into an empty net. Elliot Anderson was similarly direct, but the end product was missing.

[ratings:4bfbae10-c45e-4c2d-ab3c-1ccdfc54e14c]

Doku's Arrival Changes Everything

Doku came on in the 56th minute, and from that point on, the game tilted. His speed and precision were too much for Liverpool's defence, and he broke the deadlock in the 68th minute. It was the kind of goal that had been coming since his introduction, and it finally gave City the lead their pressure deserved.

Cherki Adds the Second

Ten minutes later, Cherki made it two. He had been lively since his own introduction, and his 78th-minute strike was no more than he deserved. By then, Liverpool were chasing shadows, and City were cruising.

Bouaddi's Difficult Cameo

Not every substitution worked. Bouaddi came on in the 80th minute and struggled to make any positive impact, even as his teammates continued to dominate. His evening got worse in the 86th minute when he received a yellow card for a poor tackle that gave Liverpool a free kick directly in front of goal. Fortunately for City, the visitors couldn't capitalise.

In the end, a comfortable win, but one that raised as many questions about the starting XI as it answered about the bench.

Manchester City's 3-0 victory over Liverpool was more than just three points. It was a performance that underlined their early-season dominance and left little doubt about their intent.

City went into the match unbeaten and sitting atop the Premier League table. They had also led the league in possession by nearly three full minutes before kick-off, a statistic that hinted at their control.

[ratings:4bfbae10-c45e-4c2d-ab3c-1ccdfc54e14c]

Yet for the first 10 minutes or so, it was Liverpool who controlled the pace of play. The visitors looked sharp, moving the ball quickly and asking questions of City's backline.

But City weathered the early storm. In the first half, they tested Alisson Becker just once, and even that was a relatively easy save. It was a half of few clear chances, but City stayed patient.

The game turned in the 62nd minute when Ryan Gravenberch picked up his second yellow card, reducing Liverpool to 10 men. Three minutes later, Erling Haaland scored with a wicked swing of his left leg to break the deadlock.

Jeremy Doku then scored minutes later to double the lead. A 2-0 advantage against 10 men felt like 10-0, and City were in complete control.

They added a third to complete the rout, a 3-0 win that sent a clear message to the rest of the league. In six matches this season, City has won every one.

Enzo Maresca has a firm grasp of what his club needs, and this performance was evidence of that. The Blues are setting the pace, and on this evidence, they will take some stopping.

Manchester City's team bus rolled into Anfield via an alternative entrance on Sunday, avoiding the main crowd of Liverpool supporters gathered on Anfield Road. BBC journalist Dan Roan posted video footage on October 11, 2026, showing the coach using the Staff & Contractors' entrance. It was a detail that spoke volumes about the mood surrounding the fixture.

City are playing their first match since being found guilty of the vast majority of the 115 financial charges against them. The trip to Liverpool was always going to be loaded, but the guilty verdict has turned the temperature up several notches.

[ratings:4bfbae10-c45e-4c2d-ab3c-1ccdfc54e14c]

Liverpool, for their part, have reason to feel aggrieved. They finished a close second to City in two recent title races, and the sense of injustice on Merseyside is raw. Players like Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk missed out on major trophies that might have been theirs had City's spending been legitimate.

For City, the focus now is on the game itself. The team bus took the quiet route, but there will be no hiding place on the pitch.

City are on a seven-match winning run in all competitions and face Liverpool in their first match since the 115 verdict was announced.

Enzo Maresca made one change to the side that beat Sunderland 5-3, with O'Reilly replacing Joško Gvardiol, who drops to the bench. Jeremy Doku also provides an option from the substitutes' bench.

Haaland's availability comes after Maresca told the media on Friday that the striker had a small period of rest and was likely to start. The Norwegian's presence is a significant boost for a City side looking to extend their winning momentum.

Antoine Semenyo, who withdrew from international duty with a swollen ankle, has trained with his teammates and is fit to play. He starts alongside Rayan Cherki and Iliman Ndiaye in an attacking lineup.

Phil Foden misses out as he serves the third match of a three-game ban following his red card in City's 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

City's starting XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Matheus Nunes, Rúben Dias, Marc Guehi, Nico O'Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernández; Iliman Ndiaye, Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo; Erling Haaland.

Substitutes: Rulli, Kovačić, Doku, Reis, Gvardiol, Bouaddi, Allan, Khusanov, Lewis.

Manchester City travel to Anfield today for a Premier League fixture that has almost been swallowed whole by the 115 verdict.

Enzo Maresca spent part of his Friday press conference being asked whether any away trip tests a side more than Liverpool on their own patch. He didn't dodge it. It will be a tough game, he said, and a tough test. The focus, in his view, has to be about the game.

He also had a word about the atmosphere waiting for them. Anfield, he noted, is never a nice environment for visitors. This time it will probably be even worse because of the situation. City's duty, as he put it, is to try to do their best and win the game.

He was there when the noise first hit

Maresca has lived through a version of this before. On Friday he referenced how City played through the noise when the Premier League's charges dropped in 2023. He was Pep Guardiola's assistant at the time, watching a squad put the chatter aside and surge onwards to win the treble.

That is the template he has in mind, even if he is careful not to pretend the current situation is trivial. They understand the seriousness of it, he said, and the noise completely. It's something serious. The job is to manage that and focus on what they can do and what they can control, then prepare the game in the best way and try to go to Anfield and win it.

Today is the first opportunity for the players to show their response to the furore surrounding the club. Whatever else is going on, the scoreboard at Anfield will have the final say.

The Norwegian had left Norway's camp early during the international break after a fatigue-related issue in the match against Portugal. He spent the early part of this week resting at his Marbella home before returning to Manchester.

That Haaland is fit and firing matters, because his record against Liverpool is quietly ridiculous. Eight goals in 11 appearances — his sixth-highest tally against any club. The last time he faced them, in April's FA Cup win, he helped himself to a hat-trick.

City and Liverpool have dominated the English game for years, winning eight of the last nine Premier League titles between them. Sunday's 16:30 kick-off in Merseyside offers three significant points in the early stages of the 2026/27 season.

Off the pitch, the noise around Haaland refuses to die down. According to Football Insider, the 26-year-old is on the radar of several top clubs across Europe, with Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid among those interested. The Etihad club are extremely reluctant to sell one of their best players — and with five goals in as many Premier League games this season, it's easy to see why.

Haaland has also made his position clear. He offered full support to the club earlier this week amid their guilty top-flight verdict, and he aims to win more silverware under Maresca until the end of his contract in 2034.

That verdict, of course, hangs over everything. City were found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges brought against them. They have since lodged an appeal, and a new independent commission has 12 weeks to conduct a five-day hearing. If the appeal fails, the club could face a hefty points deduction resulting in relegation, a substantial fine, and a transfer embargo of an appropriate duration.

For now, the focus is on Anfield. Haaland is back, City have their man, and Sunday will tell us plenty about where this season is heading.

The Norway striker sat down with Viaplay on Thursday ahead of Sunday's trip to Liverpool. The broadcaster, which holds Premier League rights in Norway, had wanted to raise the commission's findings — that City committed serious breaches of the league's financial rules. The club deny the verdict and are appealing. The question never got asked.

"We were told in no uncertain terms that the topic was off the table," said Viaplay sports director Kristian Oma.

Oma added that no other top-flight club had been willing to sanction questions on the verdict in the build-up to this weekend's fixtures. A collective gagging, then, though not one City arranged alone.

Enzo Maresca faced the media on Friday and made his own limits clear, stressing repeatedly that he was strictly constrained in what he could say. Since the commission's findings landed, the club have kept their public response tightly controlled — a short statement of innocence, a brief letter from chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, and the promise of an appeal doing the talking rather than exposing players or staff to open questioning. The sanctions hearing is still to come, and the appeal has been lodged.

Haaland, to his credit, was happy enough to talk about football. He sounded upbeat about the travelling support heading to Merseyside, predicting the City fans making the trip "are gonna have a good time" at Anfield.

Maresca also called for players and supporters to pull together through a testing run of fixtures. Sunday's 16:30 kick-off at Liverpool is quickly followed by a Champions League date with Paris Saint-Germain. Two heavyweight tests in quick succession, and a club doing its best to keep the noise down.

International Break Leaves Its Mark

Sixteen City players were away with their countries during the break, and the effects are already being felt. Erling Haaland made headlines when Norway boss Stale Solbakken described him as "thoroughly spent" after a defeat to Portugal. There is no suggestion the striker will miss the Liverpool game, and Maresca has confirmed he is available. Still, the comment will have raised eyebrows among City fans who know how heavily the team relies on their No 9.

Nico O'Reilly withdrew from the England squad and remains a doubt for tomorrow. Antoine Semenyo, however, returned early from Ghana duty and is back in training, offering Maresca at least one positive selection option. The manager also has to replace the suspended Phil Foden, adding another layer of complexity to his team sheet.

Two Games, Four Days

Anfield comes first, but the visit of PSG is looming large. City will have only Monday and Tuesday between the two fixtures, a turnaround that could force Maresca to manage minutes carefully. Players asked to complete 90 minutes at Anfield could be required again three days later, and with the squad already missing key men, the risk of fatigue is real.

Maresca's balancing act is made trickier by the fact that both matches are significant. Liverpool away is always a test of character, while PSG at the Etihad is a chance to lay down a marker in Europe. The manager must decide whether to stick with his strongest XI at Anfield or trust his squad players to get the job done.

City's perfect start to the Premier League season has given them a cushion, but the next four days could shape the narrative of their campaign. Maresca has shown he is not afraid to make bold calls, and he may need to do so again. The international break may be over, but its consequences are only just beginning.

The 17-year-old Burnley-born central midfielder was part of City's youth setup from a young age, progressing through the ranks before signing a scholarship with the club in June 2025. His development culminated in 12 appearances for the Under-18 side last season, contributing to their Under-18 Premier League North title win.

Holt also found himself named on the bench for City's UEFA Youth League group stage match against Borussia Dortmund in November 2025 — a taste of European football that hinted at his potential.

But opportunities at the Etihad are scarce, and Cardiff, now managed by former City Football Academy coach Brian Barry-Murphy, have moved quickly to secure his signature. The Bluebirds were relegated to League One in 2025, yet their recruitment team reportedly views Holt as a 'major coup'. WalesOnline suggested they assessed him as a player with the 'potential to develop and increase in value over the coming years'.

It's a familiar path. Cardiff have already raided Category 1 academies this summer, including a move for Cass Machin from City. Barry-Murphy and assistant Lee Riley both have past managerial roles in City's academy, and those connections appear to be paying dividends.

Holt is believed to have trained with Cardiff's Under-21s and first-team in recent weeks, impressing the coaching staff enough to earn a permanent deal. He'll now feature for the Under-21 side, with the possibility of regular senior training and, depending on his progress, a shot at first-team contention.

Before leaving, Holt took to Instagram to share glimpses of his journey and pen a heartfelt goodbye. 'I've grown so much here, both on and off the pitch, and I'll always carry a part of this club with me,' he wrote. 'Thank you to everyone who has been with me on this journey. It's been an honour to wear the shirt.'

City described him as an 'energetic midfielder capable of impacting both boxes' — a tag Holt himself embraces. 'I'd say I'm an energetic player with technical ability on the ball,' he said. 'Hopefully, I can chip in with a few goals as well.'

For Cardiff, it's another addition from a top academy. For City, it's a reminder that not every graduate makes the grade — but the club's loss could be the Bluebirds' gain.

Erling Haaland is available for selection for Manchester City's trip to Liverpool on Sunday, manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed.

The 26-year-old was seen limping off during Norway's 2-1 defeat to Portugal last week, sparking concerns over his fitness for the Anfield clash. But Maresca moved to allay those fears in his pre-match press conference.

He's good. He went to Marbella, had two or three days off, played golf. Had some recovery. He's ready for Anfield. He's good, the players are thinking: international teams, some days off and go again. He was good.

Haaland's return is a major fillip for City, who have scored 18 goals this season. The striker has combined with Antoine Semenyo to net nine of those.

Semenyo, who was forced to withdraw from international duty after picking up an ankle injury during the 5-3 win over Sunderland last month, was pictured in training this week. That confirms his recovery, even if Maresca wasn't asked about him directly.

There remains uncertainty over Nico O'Reilly, however. The 21-year-old started England's 3-2 defeat to Spain at Wembley but was forced to withdraw soon afterwards and returned to the club for further medical examinations. Maresca was not asked about his fitness during the press conference.

In O'Reilly's absence, Josko Gvardiol has been selected to start at left-back in recent games. The Croatian international will more than likely keep his place when City face Liverpool at Anfield this weekend.

City fans will be relieved to have Haaland and Semenyo available. With nine goals between them, their presence could be decisive on Merseyside.

Reports this week paint a picture of a squad insulated from the backlash that followed the Premier League's guilty verdict. An extended international break helped. Players scattered across the globe on international duty, while those left behind took holidays and rest. The noise travelled, but it didn't land.

Gianluigi Donnarumma's agent, Enzo Raiola, offered the clearest indication yet that the mood at the club remains steady. Speaking via Calciomercarto.com and relayed by Football Italia, Raiola was blunt about the impact of the verdict on his client.

"Will the Manchester City chaos change anything? No, nothing will change for us or for Gigio. News comes out periodically. The club has spoken with Gigio and everyone is calm. Now there are important games against Liverpool and PSG, then sporting justice will take its course. But Gigio has had reassurances from Manchester City."

Reassurances from the hierarchy. That phrase carries weight. According to Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail, there is a sense of defiance among some City players — a determination to win the Premier League title despite the cloud hanging over the club. Doubts exist, Gaughan reports, but nobody is desperate to bail out.

That distinction matters. Doubt is not departure. Uncertainty is not mutiny.

For the players, the equation is simple enough. They can trust the word of the City hierarchy, or they can't. They have been told the club will clear its name. The 115 verdict hasn't swayed that confidence, and it has been passed down to Enzo Maresca's squad. Whether that confidence is well placed, nobody can say yet. But the management has yet to steer them wrong.

All they can control is what happens on the pitch. That has been the message, and it appears to have landed. City have started the 2026-27 season strongly, and the focus now shifts to two enormous fixtures: Liverpool and PSG.

Sunday at Anfield will be hostile. It always is, regardless of circumstances. If City emerge from that with their composure intact, the reports of calm will look well founded. If they don't, the noise might finally find its way inside.

For now, the hysteria seems confined to the media. It hasn't entered the CFA. That, at least, is something.

Kick-off is 4.30pm BST on Sunday, October 11, with Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event carrying coverage from 4pm. BBC Radio 5 Live has full match commentary for those of you who prefer your anxiety delivered aurally.

Liverpool's striking shortage

The hosts have problems up front. Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both picked up knocks during the international break and have been ruled out, while Hugo Ekitike is also sidelined. Jeremy Jacquet's hamstring issue has cleared up and he's back in training, but the forward line is thin to the point of translucent.

Lewis Koumas, 21, is their only available recognised centre-forward. He has never started a Premier League game. Bradley Barcola may play through the middle instead, which is one way of saying Liverpool's attacking plan currently resembles a man patting his pockets for keys he knows aren't there.

Federico Chiesa is back in training and could make his first appearance of the season, while Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni remain long-term absentees. Iraola was candid on Friday: "They don't look like long-term injuries. But they are not ready for Sunday."

City's own concerns

Phil Foden serves the final game of his three-match suspension following his red card in the Manchester derby. Nico O'Reilly withdrew from the England squad for their final two Nations League matches because of injury and is a major doubt.

Antoine Semenyo didn't play for Ghana during the break as he had treatment on a swollen leg, but he has been training and is expected to start at Anfield.

There were question marks over Erling Haaland's fitness, though Maresca was quick to dampen them on Friday: "He's good. He went to Marbella, had two or three days off, played golf. Had some recovery. He's ready for Anfield."

Odds and prediction

City are narrow favourites at 6/4, with Liverpool 8/5 and the draw 11/4. In the title betting, City are 4/1 second favourites behind 8/15 Arsenal, while Liverpool are third best at 12/1.

City used to have a terrible record at Anfield. Then they scored twice late on last season to win 2-1, which was fun. The prediction here is that both sides emerge with their unbeaten records intact — a score draw, with the 11/4 on the draw looking the value. With Liverpool stripped of Isak and Gakpo, and the Reds solid at the back recently, a low-scoring game seems the sensible lean.

Mikel Arteta has become the latest manager to field questions about Manchester City's charges, and his answer was as measured as you'd expect from a man who once sat in the home dugout at the Etihad.

The Arsenal boss, who spent time at City as Pep Guardiola's assistant, insisted the ongoing process must be allowed to run its course. "I fully understand the question but I think it's really important that we respect the process, the timelines and it's still an ongoing process that's not resolved as it's been appealed," he said, as quoted by football.london.

His comments come after news broke during the international break that City had been found guilty on the vast majority of the 115 charges. The story has once again dominated headlines as the Premier League returns, with the topic on everyone's lips at this week's round of manager press conferences.

City manager Enzo Maresca has already addressed the matter, and yesterday we heard from Frank Lampard and Daniel Farke. Arteta's turn came today, and he was keen to stress that the appeal process means nothing is finalised.

For Arsenal, though, there is also a game to think about. The Gunners take on Leeds United in tomorrow's early kick-off at the Emirates, looking to bounce back from their defeat to Brighton in their final game before the international break. They'll be desperate for a response, especially with league leaders City facing a tough trip away to Liverpool, where they could drop points.

But Arteta has injury concerns to manage. As per football.london, key players like Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis are doubts, and while Max Dowman is available, the manager is not yet sure on Havertz or England defender Ezri Konsa.

Plenty for Arteta to ponder, then, on and off the pitch.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, ahead of Sunday's Premier League trip to Liverpool, Maresca was asked directly whether he now viewed City's previous trophies as tainted. His response was immediate and unequivocal.

"Absolutely not," he said.

Maresca's connection to City's recent success runs deep. He worked alongside Pep Guardiola during the 2022/23 season, when the club completed a historic Treble by winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. He was part of Guardiola's staff throughout that campaign before leaving to take charge of Leicester City that summer.

City have appealed against the verdict and are awaiting the outcome of that process.

For Maresca, the question of tainted trophies is settled. His answer left little room for interpretation.

His career, however, is not defined by football alone. As a senior business executive and influential figure in Abu Dhabi, Al Mubarak operates at the intersection of international investment, government strategy and global sport. His leadership at City has brought extraordinary achievements, but the club's Premier League financial case has also placed his tenure under intense scrutiny.

1. From Abu Dhabi business leader to football chairman

Al Mubarak graduated from Tufts University in the United States with a degree in economics and finance. He began his professional career at the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) before taking on senior responsibilities at the Tawazun Economic Council, formerly known as the UAE Offsets Group. These roles helped establish his experience in strategic investment, business development and international commercial relations.

His subsequent career at Mubadala, Abu Dhabi's state-owned investment company, became a defining part of his professional life. As managing director and group chief executive, he has overseen a broad international investment portfolio spanning multiple industries and markets.

His responsibilities extend into education, advanced technology, energy and international diplomacy. He has also held prominent positions in Abu Dhabi's government and business institutions, giving him a network and range of experience well beyond the football industry.

2. The transformation of Manchester City

When Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Abu Dhabi-backed investment group acquired Manchester City in 2008, Al Mubarak became chairman and a key figure responsible for overseeing the club's long-term development.

The ambition was not simply to assemble a team capable of winning a trophy. It was to build a sustainable presence among the world's leading football institutions, with the infrastructure, recruitment, coaching and commercial reach to compete at the highest level year after year.

Under Al Mubarak's chairmanship, City developed a modern training complex, strengthened its global commercial operation and recruited a succession of high-profile managers, including Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola.

The sporting results have been exceptional. City won its first Premier League title of the new era in 2012. In 2023, they won the Champions League and completed a historic treble. In the 2023–24 season, it became the first club to win four consecutive English top-flight titles. City also won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup in 2023.

A defining feature of Al Mubarak's approach has been continuity. Rather than treating each managerial appointment as an isolated project, the club invested in structures intended to support long-term success. The Guardiola era, in particular, brought a distinctive playing identity and helped establish City as a benchmark for possession-based, tactically sophisticated football.

Al Mubarak has presented Guardiola's influence as extending beyond silverware to the wider development of English football. His role in maintaining the relationship between manager, ownership and club hierarchy has been an important part of City's modern story.

3. Building a global football organisation

In 2013, Al Mubarak became chairman of City Football Group (CFG), the organisation established to develop a network of clubs and football-related businesses around the world.

The model extended City's influence beyond Manchester, with clubs including New York City FC and Melbourne City FC becoming part of a wider international structure. The intention was to share expertise in coaching, recruitment, sports science and commercial development while creating opportunities across different football markets.

This reflects a business-led approach to football: developing interconnected organisations rather than relying on the fortunes of a single first team. It has helped establish City Football Group as a significant force in the international sports industry.

4. Leadership, diplomacy and recognition

Al Mubarak's influence extends into Abu Dhabi's wider economic and diplomatic relationships. His responsibilities have included senior government advisory roles, international investment leadership and involvement in educational and technological initiatives.

His public recognition includes:

- Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), 2013.

- Freedom of the City of London, 2021, recognising his contribution to UK–UAE relations.

- France's Legion of Honour, 2022.

- The Abu Dhabi Award, 2025, recognising his service to Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

These honours reflect a career that encompasses international business, public service and institutional development, rather than football administration alone.

5. The Premier League's 115-charge case: a major challenge to his legacy

No career profile of Al Mubarak can now avoid the Premier League's long-running financial case against Manchester City. The allegations concern the period from 2009 to 2018, during which the league accused the club of providing inaccurate financial information, misrepresenting sponsorship arrangements, failing to disclose certain remuneration and breaching financial regulations. The club was also accused of failing to cooperate with the league's investigation.

The case reached a major turning point on 29 September 2026, when an independent commission published its findings.

The independent commission found City guilty of all charges relating to serious financial-rule breaches and upheld three of the four alleged breaches concerning cooperation with the investigation.

On 1 October 2026, City lodged an appeal, maintaining its innocence and arguing that the commission's opinion contains material errors of law, principle and fact.

The appeal process remains ongoing. The commission's sanctions are to be addressed separately, with possible consequences under the Premier League's rules including a fine, points deduction or other sporting penalties.

For Al Mubarak, the case represents a serious challenge to the reputation of the organisation he has led for almost two decades. His tenure is closely associated with the club's rise, making the questions surrounding its financial conduct inseparable from any assessment of his chairmanship.

A positive assessment of his career can fairly highlight the transformation of City's football operations, the scale of its sporting achievements and his role in building a global football business. But those achievements must now be considered alongside the independent commission's findings.

Al Mubarak and City maintain that the club is innocent and that the appeal will challenge the ruling. That position should be distinguished from the commission's findings, which remain a matter of formal record while the appeal proceeds. It would be premature to treat the appeal as either a vindication or a defeat before its outcome is known.

6. His lasting legacy

Khaldoon Al Mubarak's career at Manchester City illustrates both the possibilities and the risks of modern football leadership.

His contribution to the club's rise is substantial: City became a serial title winner, secured its first Champions League crown and developed an international network of football businesses. His wider career demonstrates the reach of Abu Dhabi's investment strategy and his standing in international business.

Yet leadership is measured not only by growth and trophies but also by governance, accountability and compliance with the rules under which an organisation operates. The independent commission's findings have therefore introduced a fundamental qualification to the story of his time at City.

Ultimately, Al Mubarak's legacy will rest on two connected questions: how the transformation he oversaw is remembered, and what the final outcome of the Premier League proceedings establishes about the club's conduct during that transformation.

For Manchester City supporters, his chairmanship remains central to the club's modern identity. For football more broadly, the case will be a defining test of how sporting success, financial regulation and executive accountability intersect at the highest level of the game.

City's new manager held his first press conference since the international break, and for the first time since taking the job, the media got a proper crack at asking him about the more than 100 charges hanging over the club. His answer was short, and it was exactly what anyone who has watched this club operate would have predicted.

"There is a process ongoing, and at this moment I completely trust the club."

That was the line. No theatrics. No carefully worded statement drafted by three layers of lawyers. Just a man stating his position and moving on.

He went further, explaining the logic behind his calm.

"I trust the club because I trust the people; this is why I joined the club."

And if that wasn't clear enough:

"There is not another club in the world that I would like to be."

Maresca agreed to become City's manager after Pep Guardiola stepped down at the end of last season. He did so knowing the club was facing charges. This wasn't a case of a manager walking into a mess he didn't see coming. He walked in with his eyes open, and he has now said publicly that he would make the same choice again.

The verdict, and the question nobody can avoid

The recent guilty verdict for allegedly breaking financial fair play rules has dominated the conversation around City for months. More than 100 charges, a process still ongoing, and no clear end point in sight. The press conference was the first real opportunity for journalists to press Maresca on what it all means, and his answer was less a deflection than a declaration.

He also addressed the inevitable question about the club's previous titles — the ones won during the period when the rule-breaking was said to have occurred. Maresca said he didn't feel those titles would be tainted. Whether that satisfies anyone outside the Etihad is another matter. It almost certainly doesn't. But he wasn't hired to satisfy anyone outside the Etihad.

What stood out was the absence of any hedging. No "we'll see what happens." No "I can't comment on ongoing proceedings." Just trust, plain and simple. Whether that trust is rewarded is out of his hands, and he seems at peace with that.

City fans have spent years listening to managers and executives dance around this topic. Maresca has chosen a different approach. He's not dancing. He's standing still, saying he trusts the people who hired him, and getting on with the job. For a supporter base that has grown tired of the noise, it might be the most reassuring thing they've heard in a while.

Erling Haaland will play at Anfield on Sunday. That is the word from Enzo Maresca, and it is the word that matters most after a fortnight of Norwegian worry.

Haaland took himself out in the second half against Portugal during the international break, limping off the field. The sight of a striker removing himself from a match tends to travel faster than any official bulletin, and so it proved.

Maresca, speaking in his Friday press conference, was brief on the subject. His verdict on Haaland was a single word, delivered twice: good. He is good.

Marbella, golf and the Solbakken theory

The recovery plan, it turns out, involved a trip to Marbella for two or three days. Golf featured. So did rest. By the end of it, Haaland was ready for Anfield.

Norway coach Ståle Solbakken had already offered his own diagnosis, suggesting his captain was more exhausted than injured. That assessment now looks accurate.

City head to Merseyside hoping for a sixth straight win to begin the 2026/27 campaign. It is the sort of start that quietly piles pressure on everyone else, even if nobody at the club will say so out loud.

The noise off the pitch

What follows the team around is a story City know only too well. The club has been found guilty of breaking more than 100 rules related to financial fair play, a verdict reached after an investigation City did not assist with. An appeal is underway.

None of that will change what happens on Sunday afternoon. Haaland plays, the team travels, and the season keeps moving.

Manchester City return to Premier League action on Sunday against Liverpool, their first outing since the international break. But the build-up has been overshadowed by news that the club has been found guilty of breaking financial fair play rules. The verdict, which City are appealing, has dominated the agenda.

On Thursday, manager Enzo Maresca addressed the situation with a simple message: 'We need to be all together.' Later that same day, Erling Haaland echoed those sentiments. The club tweeted a clip of the striker saying, 'We have to stick together; we have to stay with each other, and we have to stay positive.'

City are contesting the guilty verdict and will likely appeal any sanctions that follow. For now, the focus shifts to the pitch, where the team will look to channel that togetherness into a positive result.

Manchester City have identified Brentford defender Michael Kayode as a potential answer to their long-standing right-back problem, according to reports. The club have been in the market for a specialist in that position for some time, and the 22-year-old Italian international has emerged as a viable target.

City's interest in Kayode comes after they were put off by Chelsea's £70m valuation of Malo Gusto during the summer window. That price tag proved prohibitive, and attention has now shifted to a more attainable option.

TEAMtalk claim that head coach Enzo Maresca admires Kayode 'massively' and would be the driving force behind bringing him to the Etihad Stadium. Such backing from the manager is significant, suggesting Kayode is not merely a name on a shortlist but a player Maresca genuinely wants.

Competition for his signature is expected to be fierce. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have all been monitoring Kayode, having scouted him regularly last season. At the moment, it does look like City have the most active interest.

Brentford's Valuation and Contract Situation

Brentford are unlikely to sanction the 22-year-old's departure for a low fee. The Bees paid €17.5m to secure Kayode's services on a permanent basis in May last year, following a successful six-month loan spell at the Gtech Community Stadium. Reports suggest the right-back is likely to cost more than double that amount now, with his valuation potentially as high as £40m to £50m. He signed a new contract in July, further strengthening Brentford's negotiating position.

For City, the move would represent a shift in strategy. Having balked at Gusto's £70m price, they are now looking at a player whose price, while significant, could prove more palatable. Whether that proves enough to tempt Brentford into a sale remains to be seen.

Uncertainty Off the Pitch

Any pursuit of Kayode is complicated by the club's ongoing appeal process. The recruitment team are acting as if it is business as usual until a final decision is reached, but the potential consequences are stark. If Maresca's team receive a transfer ban, or in the worst-case scenario a relegation, it would impact any attempt to sign Kayode in the future.

For now, the club are maintaining their interest in the Italian, and the situation continues to develop. City's need for a right-back is clear, and Kayode fits the profile they have been seeking. Whether they can fend off rival interest and agree a fee with Brentford is another matter entirely.

Paul Gorst, the Liverpool Echo's chief correspondent, reported from the training ground that neither forward took part in the main squad session.

“Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak are major doubts for Liverpool’s visit from Manchester City after appearing to miss training today.”

Gakpo sustained an ankle injury during the Netherlands' fixture against Serbia, while Isak picked up a thigh problem representing Sweden. Both returned early from international duty.

Fears over Gakpo's fitness grew after his forced withdrawal, with initial reports suggesting potential ligament damage that could keep him out for weeks. Jeremy Jacquet was able to train.

Liverpool manager Iraola stopped short of ruling either player out but admitted both are injured. The situation leaves the club's attacking options stretched, with Hugo Ekitike already recovering from an Achilles injury.

Twenty-year-old forward Lewis Koumas is expected to step up and lead the line. The academy graduate has caught the eye with a series of electric performances for Wales during the international break, and could be handed the biggest opportunity of his career as Liverpool look to protect their unbeaten run at Anfield.

Summer signing Bradley Barcola and young winger Víctor Muñoz are also available as Iraola weighs his options.

City's return to the City Football Academy after the international break brought the manager in front of a microphone for the first time since the Premier League released the findings of an independent commission into the club's financial affairs. His message was short, deliberate, and entirely on-message.

"I'm very calm, to be honest. The club has been quite clear. We trust, completely, the club."

That was the headline. What followed was a familiar division of labour: the club handles the legal arguments, the players handle the football. Maresca described the mood among his squad as "fantastic", with the group "excited for the next two games" and "focussed" on the small matter of being top of the league.

He was not pretending the noise does not exist. "We understand the noise, but the focus for us is just what we can control," he said. "They know what we can control; the football side. They're not worried at all about different things."

Erling Haaland has already made his own position clear, backing the club publicly as the situation rumbles on. Whatever questions may have been put to representatives of some players — and reports have suggested exactly that — the dressing room appears to be holding its line.

Anfield First, Paris Next

That focus will be tested on Sunday. Liverpool at Anfield is never a gentle reintroduction, and this one comes with an added edge: it is the first chance for the home support to offer their own verdict on the commission's findings. A "Bus Greeting" has been mooted on social media for two hours before kick-off on Anfield Road. Merseyside Police say they have an "appropriate" policing strategy in place.

Maresca, for his part, framed it simply. His players are thinking about "how we can beat Liverpool, with the fans, and try win at Anfield." No grand statements, no deflection. Just the next fixture.

City have won every Premier League game so far this season. A trip to Merseyside is the sort of fixture that tends to sort the genuine article from the fast starters, and the atmosphere will be hostile in a way that has nothing to do with the league table.

Then comes Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad in the Champions League, a night that will see Pep Guardiola back in attendance. Two games, two very different kinds of pressure. Maresca's approach to both seems to be the same: keep it on the grass.

Whether that proves enough to keep the outside world at arm's length is another question. City have lodged a "comprehensive" appeal, which league rules state should conclude within 12 weeks. Until then, the club's position remains what it has always been — that the name will be cleared by "irrefutable" evidence, a stance chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and chief executive Ferran Soriano have maintained throughout.

For now, the manager has a squad to prepare and a league to lead. The rest, as he keeps saying, is noise.