Manchester City take on Liverpool at Anfield today in a Premier League fixture that has almost been overshadowed by the 115 verdict. Today’s match can’t come soon enough to be frank. For a few hours this afternoon it will be time to focus on football and not appeals, verdicts, and doomsday scenarios. For the City players, they have an opportunity to send a message against Liverpool. That all that matters to them is what happens on the pitch. Playing football is all they can control. If Enzo Maresca’s side can leave Anfield with all three points, it could represent his team laying down a marker in a hostile venue.

Enzo Maresca was asked on Friday if there is a bigger test for his team than playing Liverpool at Anfield. Maresca didn’t hide away from the task in front of his team. He explained: “ Yeah, it will be a tough game, for sure. Tough test, as you said. But, again, we need to be we need to be ready. I mean, the focus has to be about the game. But also we know that the environment in Anfield is [never] nice. Probably will be even worse because of the situation. But, again, it will be our duty to try to do our best and win the game. ”

The Manchester City players know what awaits them at Anfield. It will be a hostile environment as it always is when City take on Liverpool in enemy territory. But today’s match represents an opportunity. The City players can lay down a marker from this point onwards. If they can thrive in what awaits them, it may set them up to play through the noise.

Right now, the noise is deafening surrounding City. However, Enzo Maresca’s squad has the opportunity to get to work. They can block out the noise and set about forging on through the fire. The circumstances are far from ideal, but it would speak volumes and lay down a marker if the Manchester City players can perform through what surrounds and awaits them at Anfield. Perhaps, the circumstances have given an opportunity for this new-look City side to galvanise themselves and come together. We will know come the final whistle today if this is what has occurred.

Also, on Friday, Enzo Maresca referenced how Manchester City played through the noise when the Premier League’s charges dropped in 2023. Pep Guardiola’s side put the noise aside to surge onwards to famously win the treble. Maresca was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at the time, and that famous Manchester City side put the noise to one side. He explained how this City team will navigate the storm: “ Exactly in the same way, just try to manage the noise, because, again, we understand the seriousness of the situation. We understand the noise, completely, 100%. It’s something serious. But at the same time, we just need to manage that and focus on what we can do, and what we can control that is, try to prepare the game in the best way, try to go to Anfield and win the game. ”

Today is the first opportunity for Manchester City players to show their response to the furore surrounding the club. Perhaps, playing Liverpool at Anfield is the ideal setting for them. If they can pick up three points today and show the fight, character, quality and determination that defines them, it could set them up to play through what surrounds the club.

If they can pick up three points they can also send a message. It would be one that they are still here and fighting through it all. That opportunity is in front of Enzo Maresca’s side today and it will be fascinating to see how they handle today’s occasion.