City's first match since being found guilty of more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules ended in an emphatic win on Sunday, with Maresca's side showing little sign of being distracted by the uncertainty surrounding the club's potential punishment.

The Italian has made a perfect start as Pep Guardiola's successor, winning all eight of his matches in charge to take City three points clear at the top of the Premier League.

However, the outcome of City's appeal against the independent commission's verdict could have significant implications for their title ambitions.

Maresca admitted the past few weeks had been challenging but praised his players for keeping their focus.

"It was not easy for the players after the last two or three weeks but they dealt with the situation very well," he said.

"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.

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

City took control after Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch was sent off for two quick yellow cards shortly after the hour mark.

Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki then scored during a devastating 13-minute spell to secure City's first win at Anfield in front of a crowd since 2003.

Maresca believes the result was important for the entire club as it continues to deal with the financial case.

"To win 3-0 at Anfield is a great result for sure. In this moment all the organisation needs this kind of win," he said.

"It's good for us as a coaching staff, the players, the organisation. This kind of win is good for all the club."

The City manager also dismissed suggestions that uncertainty over the appeal had taken the shine off the victory.

"You cannot imagine how happy I am," Maresca said.

"I am here to try to prepare the games and win the games. Hopefully, I can speak about this situation when we win the appeal."

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola suffered his first defeat in charge, leaving his team ninth in the table, nine points behind City.

The hosts also felt the absence of injured trio Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, but Iraola insisted Liverpool had been the better side before Gravenberch's dismissal.

"There were two different games. One until the red card and one from the red card until the end," he said.

"We were the better team until the red card and they were better than us obviously after and scored the goals."

City now turn their attention to Wednesday's Champions League league-phase clash against Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad Stadium, with Maresca hoping his team can maintain their winning momentum despite the continuing uncertainty off the pitch.

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