Premier League: Man City’s Haaland, Maresca say players need to stick together in a mental battle

Erling Haaland opened Manchester City’s 3-0 scoreline against Liverpool at the Anfield in a Premier League fixture. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Manchester City echoed sticking together, being mentally strong, and making its own noise would be the way to way to deal with the ongoing off the field issues after beating Liverpool away in a Premier League fixture on Sunday.

City was found guilty by an independent commission of breaching over 100 Premier League financial rules and regulations.

Man City has appealed against the decision as it stares at a potential points deduction that could lead to relegation or stripping of its titles.

However, after “uneasy two or three weeks” for the players, Enzo Maresca’s side resumed with a 3-0 win at the Anfield amid taunts by Liverpool fans.

“I said during the week we need to learn how to deal with the outside noise, but make our own noise, which is to win games,” coach Maresca said.

“Our fans were singing at the end, so the noise was from us.”

For Erling Haaland, the key was to stick strong, and together in the “mental battle”.

“It was hard, but we showed amazing character from back to front. So proud of everyone. It’s always tough to come here,” Haaland said.

“Important to stay strong mentally, stick together and do what you can do something about and the thing we can do something about is to play good football and fight together. That’s the only thing we can do,” he added.

Midfielder Elliot Anderson also voiced a similar opinion, saying the players showed courage in an atmosphere which was more “more than normal.”

“Togetherness, fight, a tough place to come and we stuck together and fought for each other. We’ve showed courage.

“The atmosphere was more than normal, arriving into Anfield and the first 10 minutes of the game.

“We did well to quieten the crowd. Struggled first half but second we were better and then the goals came.”