Manchester City supporters have thrown their support behind Enzo Maresca after the head coach refused to apologise for his players celebrating their emphatic 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield.
Maresca was questioned about the reaction to City’s celebrations following the statement win. However, rather than backing away from his players’ emotions, the Italian made it clear that he saw nothing wrong with enjoying such an important result.
“Criticised for what? We won 0-3 at Anfield! What do you want us to do?” Maresca responded.
Enzo Maresca on criticism for #ManCity’s celebrations at Anfield: “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.
“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.
“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!”
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) October 13, 2026
His message immediately struck a chord with City supporters, many of whom believe the players had every right to celebrate a convincing victory at one of English football’s most difficult away grounds.
The manager also insisted that even a narrower win would not have changed his position. For Maresca, the focus remains on winning matches, preparing the team and ensuring that outside criticism does not distract the squad from its objectives.
The reaction to the City Xtra post on X was overwhelmingly supportive among the selected Manchester City fans. Supporters praised the manager’s confidence, enjoyed his direct response and suggested that the questions surrounding the celebrations were unnecessary.
One fan declared that Maresca had “cooked that reporter”, while another simply wrote: “I Love my manager.”
Others admitted that the new City boss was winning them over, with one supporter commenting: “Am starting to like this guy.”
The comments reflect a growing appreciation for Maresca’s willingness to defend his players while keeping his attention firmly on football.
“They don’t know what to ask” – City fans back Maresca
One of the reactions that captured the mood among Manchester City supporters came from a fan who wrote: “They don’t know what to ask.”
The comment reflected the frustration felt by supporters who believe the conversation should have focused on City’s performance rather than the players’ celebrations.
Winning 3-0 at Anfield is a significant achievement for any visiting team. Doing so against Liverpool, in front of their own supporters, makes the result even more memorable.
For City fans, celebrating that kind of victory is a natural response. The players had worked hard to secure the result, and they were entitled to enjoy the moment together.
Maresca appeared to share that view. His response made it clear that he did not believe the team needed to justify its happiness after such a convincing performance.
The manager’s direct approach also seemed to appeal to supporters who want someone willing to defend the squad publicly.
Rather than allowing the discussion to become a distraction, Maresca brought it back to the result itself. City had won 3-0, and his priority was preparing the players for their next challenge.
That message resonated with fans who would rather see the team concentrate on collecting more points than spend time discussing celebrations.
The reaction also highlights an important part of Maresca’s early relationship with the fanbase. Supporters are watching not only his tactical decisions but also how he handles difficult questions and represents the club.
By standing behind his players, the manager gave supporters another reason to appreciate his leadership.
“The salt from other fanbases” becomes part of the conversation
Another reaction highlighted how much attention the celebrations had attracted beyond Manchester City.
One supporter argued that the response from rival fanbases was even funnier than the celebrations themselves, describing the 3-0 victory at Anfield as a statement result that City had earned the right to enjoy.
That sentiment captures the mood of supporters who believe the criticism has become disproportionate to what happened on the pitch.
Footballers celebrate important victories because those moments matter to them. A commanding win away from home represents the reward for preparation, teamwork and execution.
For Manchester City, Anfield has long represented a demanding test. Securing a three-goal victory there is not an ordinary achievement, and the players had every reason to recognise its importance.
City supporters therefore saw the celebrations as a natural expression of satisfaction rather than something requiring an apology.
Maresca’s response reinforced that interpretation.
His message was not that Manchester City should ignore every opinion from outside the club. Instead, he made clear that the team’s attention must remain on its footballing responsibilities.
The manager’s stance also gave supporters a reason to enjoy the wider conversation. They saw a team celebrating a major result and a head coach unwilling to let criticism overshadow it.
For many City fans, that combination of confidence and enjoyment is part of what makes football special.
Why Maresca’s response matters to Manchester City supporters
Maresca’s comments were about more than one post-match discussion. They also offered an insight into how he intends to manage Manchester City during a period of intense scrutiny.
The Italian was emphatic that his players were focused on winning their next game.
He explained: “I’m here today, and the players are here today, to win tomorrow’s game.”
That was perhaps the most important part of his response.
Although the celebrations attracted attention, Maresca made it clear that the team could not afford to dwell on either praise or criticism. Every match brings a new challenge, and the squad must be prepared to meet it.
He also described how happy the players had been on the pitch and inside the dressing room after the Liverpool victory.
That detail matters because it suggests the result was not simply another three points. It was a moment the squad genuinely enjoyed together.
For supporters, seeing players celebrate collectively can reinforce the impression of a team that is united and confident in its work.
The challenge for Maresca is to turn that confidence into consistent performances throughout the season.
A victory at Anfield can provide momentum, but Manchester City must maintain their standards against different opponents and in different competitions.
The manager’s insistence on looking forward suggests he understands that balance. He wants his players to enjoy their achievements without allowing them to become distracted from the next assignment.
That is a message City supporters will want to see reflected in the team’s performances.
“That combination of defiance and focus” sums up the mood
The reaction to Maresca’s interview also reflected appreciation for the balance between defending his players and maintaining professional standards.
One of the key sentiments expressed by supporters was that the combination of defiance and focus was difficult to criticise on footballing grounds.
That is an important distinction.
Maresca did not simply dismiss the questions and spend the entire interview talking about the celebrations. He used the opportunity to underline the team’s priorities.
The manager defended the players’ right to enjoy their achievement, but he also made clear that the next match remained the most important consideration.
That balance is likely to appeal to supporters.
City fans want a head coach who will stand up for his team when necessary. At the same time, they expect him to keep the squad focused on improving, winning and competing for trophies.
Maresca’s comments addressed both expectations.
His response was confident without suggesting that the Liverpool victory guaranteed future success. He celebrated the achievement while reminding everyone that the team must continue working.
The message was straightforward: Manchester City will enjoy their victories, but they will not allow the reaction to those victories to define their season.
For supporters, that is the kind of mentality they want from the dugout.
“Winning 0-3 at Anfield” should be the headline
Another central theme among City supporters was the belief that the result deserved to remain the main talking point.
One fan’s view was that winning 3-0 at Anfield and then being asked to apologise for celebrating represented an unnecessary new level of criticism.
The sentiment was clear. City had travelled to a difficult venue, delivered an emphatic performance and secured an impressive result.
Supporters wanted the conversation to reflect that achievement.
The scoreline itself provided a strong statement, and Maresca’s reaction ensured that the players’ enjoyment was not overshadowed by questions about their behaviour.
For City fans, there is also a wider point about the emotional side of football. Players invest enormous effort in preparing for matches, and celebrations are part of the connection between hard work and success.
Expecting them to treat every victory as routine would remove some of the emotion that makes the sport compelling.
That does not mean every celebration will be universally appreciated. Football is emotional, and different supporters will interpret the same moment in different ways.
However, Maresca clearly believes his players should not feel obliged to suppress their happiness simply because others question it.
His response gave Manchester City supporters a straightforward argument: if the team earns a 3-0 victory at Anfield, celebrating is entirely understandable.
The performance, rather than the reaction to it, should remain the central story.
City fans are beginning to embrace Maresca’s personality
The shorter comments beneath the City Xtra post also revealed something about the relationship developing between Maresca and Manchester City supporters.
“Cooked that reporter My Gaffer,” one fan wrote.
Another declared their affection for the manager, while a third admitted they were beginning to like him.
These reactions suggest that Maresca’s willingness to speak confidently on behalf of his team is making a positive impression.
A manager’s relationship with supporters develops over time. Results remain crucial, but communication and leadership also shape how fans understand the person in charge.
By defending the celebrations, Maresca demonstrated that he was prepared to stand behind his players rather than leave them to deal with the criticism alone.
That can help build trust between a manager and his squad. It can also strengthen his relationship with supporters who want to see the club represented with conviction.
Of course, one interview will not determine how Maresca’s tenure is judged. His tactical decisions, results and ability to compete for major honours will ultimately carry the most weight.
Nevertheless, moments like this can help establish his identity as Manchester City’s head coach.
His message was direct, his defence of the players was clear, and his attention remained on the next match.
For supporters who appreciate that approach, the interview offered another reason to get behind him.
Maresca’s message is clear: Manchester City will keep moving forward
The reaction to Maresca’s comments revealed a strong sense of solidarity among the Manchester City supporters whose responses focused on the celebrations.
Fans praised his confidence, enjoyed his response to the reporter and argued that a 3-0 victory at Anfield was more than enough reason to celebrate.
The manager’s most important point, however, was that the celebrations would not distract the squad from its objectives.
Manchester City are judged by their performances and results. Maresca knows that enjoying a major victory is part of the journey, but the next match always brings another challenge.
His approach combines the freedom to celebrate success with the discipline required to keep winning.
For supporters, that is an encouraging message from a head coach who has succeeded Pep Guardiola and is now responsible for guiding City into their next chapter.
The Anfield victory gave the team a moment to savour. Maresca’s response made it clear that he would not apologise for that happiness.
Now, the focus shifts back to the football.
City fans have made their feelings known: they appreciate a manager who defends his players, refuses to be distracted by outside criticism and understands the significance of a big win.
Maresca’s message was simple: Manchester City won 3-0 at Anfield, the players were entitled to celebrate, and their attention is already on winning again.
