Maresca calls for focus as City regroup before Liverpool test

Manchester City are back on the training pitch together for the first time since they were found guilty of breaking the Premier League's financial rules.

Head coach Enzo Maresca led the session on Thursday, 8 October, and urged his players to stay focused and positive. It was the squad's first joint workout since the verdict landed.

The timing matters. City's international players returned on Thursday, nine days after the Premier League published its report into the case. That meant Maresca finally had his full group in one place again, days before the league season restarts, according to BBC Sport.

The charge sheet is long. City were found guilty of the majority of 115 charges brought by the Premier League. In plain terms, the league accused the club of breaking its spending and reporting rules over several seasons.

The Premier League report said City used "sham" contracts to disguise secret funding of more than £830m. The league published its official findings in a statement titled "Premier League Statement: Manchester City FC" on 29 September, according to the Premier League.

City have publicly maintained their innocence. The club has launched an appeal against the verdict.

Maresca's message to the group was simple. He asked the players not to let the case affect their attitude and focus. Short words. Clear intent.

Attention now turns to Sunday. City are scheduled to play Liverpool away in their first match since the squad regrouped.

Striker Erling Haaland spoke ahead of that game. He said City must stick together and stay positive.

For supporters, this will feel strange. One week the conversation is about lawyers and ledgers. The next it is about shape, selection and a noisy away end at Anfield.

What makes this stand out is the split screen. The legal fight will run for months through the appeal process. The football comes back in days. Maresca has to prepare a team for both.