Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield to maintain their perfect Premier League start, as Maresca equals a club record amid financial controversy.
Manchester City crush Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield as Maresca extends perfect Premier League start
Manchester City maintained their flawless start to the 2026/27 Premier League season with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, overcoming an intensely hostile atmosphere to secure their sixth consecutive league win and strengthen their position at the top of the table. Erling Haaland, Jérémy Doku and Rayan Cherki scored three second-half goals as Enzo Maresca's side took full advantage of Ryan Gravenberch's dismissal, transforming a difficult encounter into another statement victory for the league leaders.
The occasion carried significance far beyond the football. It was Manchester City's first match since an independent Premier League commission found the club guilty of serious breaches of the competition's financial regulations, a decision that City have challenged through an appeal. Liverpool supporters made their feelings unmistakably clear throughout the contest, greeting the visitors with loud whistles and chants accusing the Manchester club of cheating and corruption. The atmosphere was particularly intense whenever City players were in possession, creating an uncomfortable environment for a team already operating under enormous public scrutiny.
Despite the pressure, Manchester City eventually demonstrated why they have established themselves as the early leaders of the championship. After a demanding first half in which Liverpool competed strongly and prevented the visitors from establishing their usual rhythm, the dismissal of Gravenberch changed the balance of the encounter. City responded with ruthless efficiency, scoring three times in just 13 minutes to secure a result that maintained their perfect record and increased the pressure on the teams attempting to challenge them.
The victory also carried considerable personal significance for Maresca. With six wins from his first six Premier League matches of the season, the Italian coach equalled the best start in Manchester City's history, previously achieved twice by Pep Guardiola. One more victory would establish a new club record and strengthen the growing impression that City have adapted remarkably quickly to their new manager.
Hostile reception greets Manchester City at Anfield
Even before the match began, it was clear that this would be no ordinary meeting between two of the Premier League's most prominent clubs. Manchester City's ongoing financial controversy had added another dimension to an already important fixture, with Liverpool supporters determined to make their opposition heard.
City had recently been informed of the findings of an independent commission examining the financial allegations brought against the club by the Premier League. The case, which concerns 115 charges and covers several seasons, has become one of the most significant disciplinary disputes in English football. Manchester City have maintained their innocence and are appealing the decision, but the findings have intensified debate surrounding the club's recent history and possible future sanctions.
At Anfield, Liverpool supporters used the occasion to express their frustration. Loud boos accompanied the visiting players, while chants of "cheats", "corrupt", "liars" and "criminals" could be heard during the game. Those accusations reflected the views of sections of the home crowd rather than any final resolution of the club's ongoing appeal.
The reception was particularly challenging for City captain Rúben Dias, who was responsible for organising the defence and maintaining communication with his teammates in an extremely noisy environment. Fellow Portuguese international Matheus Nunes was also included in the starting lineup and experienced the hostile atmosphere throughout the encounter.
The intensity of the crowd created an additional test of concentration. Manchester City were not only facing Liverpool away from home, traditionally one of the most demanding assignments in English football, but were also playing under exceptional circumstances following the commission's decision. Every passage of possession was accompanied by hostility, and the visitors needed to remain focused on the sporting challenge rather than become distracted by the controversy surrounding the club.
For the opening 45 minutes, Liverpool made the contest particularly uncomfortable. The hosts competed effectively and prevented City from turning possession into the sort of clear attacking advantage that has characterised their impressive start to the campaign. The visitors were unable to impose themselves decisively, leaving the match finely balanced heading into the second half.
Gravenberch dismissal changes the direction of the match
The turning point arrived when Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch was sent off, reducing the home side to ten players. The dismissal dramatically altered the conditions of the encounter and provided Manchester City with the numerical advantage they needed to take control.
Until that moment, Liverpool had managed to remain competitive despite the quality of the opposition. The red card, however, forced the hosts into a much more difficult situation. Playing with ten men against a side possessing Manchester City's technical quality, attacking depth and ability to circulate possession presents an enormous challenge, particularly when the opposition can stretch the pitch and create space through quick combinations.
City recognised the opportunity almost immediately. Rather than allowing Liverpool time to reorganise and establish a defensive structure capable of protecting the result, Maresca's players increased the pressure and began exploiting the additional space available.
Gravenberch's dismissal was therefore a decisive event in the contest. It did not guarantee City victory, but it made Liverpool's task considerably harder and allowed the visitors to approach the remaining minutes with greater attacking freedom.
The difference became clear as the second half progressed. Manchester City began finding more opportunities to move forward, while Liverpool were required to expend additional energy protecting areas of the pitch that would normally have been covered by the dismissed midfielder. Against opponents with City's attacking resources, maintaining that defensive balance for an extended period proved impossible.
Haaland, Doku and Cherki secure victory in 13-minute burst
Manchester City's breakthrough arrived in the 65th minute through Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker continued his impressive start to the campaign by scoring the opening goal, finally giving the visitors the advantage they had been seeking in a match that had remained difficult for much of the evening.
Haaland's goal immediately changed the situation for both teams. City could now play with greater confidence, while Liverpool faced the prospect of having to find an equaliser despite their numerical disadvantage. The task was made even more difficult because the visitors were beginning to establish control in possession and looked increasingly capable of creating further opportunities.
Just three minutes later, Jérémy Doku doubled Manchester City's advantage. The Belgian winger struck in the 68th minute, effectively placing the result beyond Liverpool's reach and demonstrating how quickly the league leaders can capitalise when an opponent begins to lose control.
The second goal was particularly damaging for the hosts because it arrived before they had been able to recover from conceding the first. What had initially been a closely contested match suddenly became a comfortable advantage for City, with the home crowd watching their team's prospects disappear in a matter of minutes.
Rayan Cherki completed the scoring in the 78th minute, adding a third goal and ensuring that Manchester City would leave Anfield with one of their most convincing results of the season. The French midfielder's contribution concluded a remarkable attacking sequence in which Maresca's side scored three times between the 65th and 78th minutes.
The 3-0 scoreline was a reflection of City's efficiency after the decisive moment of the match. Having struggled to establish complete control in the first half, the visitors responded to Liverpool's dismissal with the precision and composure expected from a team determined to compete for another Premier League title.
Haaland once again provided the finishing quality that makes him such an important figure in City's attack, while Doku and Cherki demonstrated the variety of attacking options available to Maresca. The ability to obtain goals from different areas of the team is one of Manchester City's greatest strengths and makes them especially dangerous when opponents are forced to defend with fewer players.
Maresca equals Guardiola record with sixth consecutive victory
Beyond the significance of defeating Liverpool, the result represented another important milestone in Enzo Maresca's early career as Manchester City head coach. The Italian has now overseen six consecutive victories in the opening six rounds of the Premier League, equalling the club's previous best start to a league campaign.
That achievement had previously belonged to Pep Guardiola, who managed the same sequence twice, first during the 2016/17 season and again in 2023/24. Guardiola's influence on Manchester City remains enormous following his successful period in charge, making the comparison particularly significant for his successor.
For Maresca, matching that record after just six league matches highlights how effectively the team have responded to his arrival. Changing managers at a club with Manchester City's expectations can create uncertainty, especially when the previous coach established such a strong identity and enjoyed sustained success. The Italian, however, has made an immediate impact in terms of results.
One more victory would give Maresca seven consecutive league wins at the beginning of the season, establishing a new Manchester City record. That possibility adds another element of anticipation to the club's next Premier League fixture.
The wider historical benchmark is even more demanding. The record for the most consecutive victories at the beginning of a Premier League season belongs to José Mourinho's Chelsea, who won their opening nine matches in the 2005/06 campaign.
Manchester City therefore need three more victories to equal Chelsea's record and four to surpass it. Although the immediate focus will remain on maintaining their position at the top of the table, the possibility of challenging such a longstanding achievement adds further significance to the club's exceptional opening run.
Maresca will nevertheless be aware that a successful start does not guarantee the title. The Premier League season is long, and every club eventually encounters periods of difficulty involving injuries, demanding schedules and opponents capable of disrupting established patterns. What City's six victories have done is provide an ideal foundation from which to approach those challenges.
City lead Arsenal by three points after six rounds
Manchester City's victory at Anfield took them to 18 points, the maximum possible after six matches. Their flawless record leaves them alone at the summit of the Premier League, three points clear of Arsenal.
The Gunners also secured an important result during the round, defeating Leeds United 2-1 at home to remain in second place with 15 points. Their victory ensured that City could not extend the gap further, but it also means the defending champions must continue pursuing a rival that has yet to drop a single point.
The early standings suggest that the competition between Manchester City and Arsenal could once again become one of the defining stories of the English season. Both clubs have started strongly, and the margin separating them remains relatively small despite City's perfect record.
For City, the advantage is valuable because it provides an early cushion and reinforces confidence in the methods introduced by Maresca. For Arsenal, the challenge is to remain close enough to capitalise whenever the leaders eventually fail to win.
There is still a substantial amount of football to be played, but taking maximum points from the opening six fixtures is an achievement that immediately establishes Manchester City as a central contender in the championship race. Winning away at Liverpool adds further weight to that record because the fixture represents one of the most demanding challenges City are likely to encounter domestically.
Liverpool suffer first defeat and fall behind leading clubs
For Liverpool, the defeat brought an end to their unbeaten start to the season and added to concerns about their position in the Premier League standings. The Reds now have nine points and sit seventh, level with three other teams.
The result was also historically disappointing at home. Liverpool had not lost at Anfield since February 2026, when Manchester City were again the visitors responsible for ending their unbeaten home record.
That repetition will be especially frustrating for Liverpool supporters. Anfield is traditionally regarded as one of the club's most valuable competitive advantages, with the atmosphere often making life difficult for visiting teams. On this occasion, the supporters created exactly the hostile environment expected, but it was not enough to prevent City from winning convincingly.
Gravenberch's dismissal will inevitably dominate discussions about the match. Liverpool were competitive during the opening period, but the reduction to ten men changed the direction of the encounter and left the team struggling to contain an opponent that possesses several different attacking threats.
From Liverpool's perspective, the challenge is now to prevent one disappointing result from developing into a more damaging sequence. The Reds remain within reach of several teams above them, but the early points gap to Manchester City is already considerable.
With six rounds completed, Liverpool are nine points behind the leaders. Although the season remains in its early stages, closing that distance will require greater consistency and an ability to turn competitive performances into victories.
Everton drop points as Crystal Palace secure home victory
The sixth round also produced important developments elsewhere in the Premier League. Everton missed the opportunity to move into fourth place outright after drawing 2-2 away to Hull City.
The Merseyside club attracted attention with an unusual starting lineup featuring ten British players, including nine Englishmen and one Welshman. The composition of the team stood out in a competition where international recruitment has become increasingly prominent, but Everton were unable to translate their approach into the victory required to climb the standings.
Despite taking a point away from home, the result represented a missed opportunity because a win would have allowed Everton to establish themselves alone in fourth position.
Crystal Palace enjoyed a more successful afternoon, defeating Nottingham Forest 3-1 at home. The victory provided Palace with three valuable points and allowed them to strengthen their position during a round in which several clubs were attempting to establish momentum.
The matchday will conclude on Monday when Coventry face Newcastle, completing the sixth round of a season already producing major developments both on and off the pitch.
Inflatable bananas return as Manchester City fans revive 1980s tradition
While the football itself eventually provided Manchester City supporters with plenty to celebrate, their presence at Anfield had already attracted attention before kick-off. Amid the controversy surrounding the club's financial case, sections of the travelling support revived one of the most recognisable traditions from City's past: inflatable yellow bananas.
The initiative was promoted by the 1894 supporters' group, which encouraged fans travelling to Liverpool to bring vintage Manchester City shirts and inflatable bananas to the stadium. The objective was to reconnect with an important element of the club's supporter culture and demonstrate that the relationship between fans and Manchester City extends far beyond recent success and modern financial investment.
Inflatable bananas became associated with City's supporters during the 1980s, when the club occupied a very different position in English football. At that time, the team was not the dominant force it would later become, and supporters often relied on humour, distinctive traditions and a strong sense of community to express their attachment to the club.
The bananas became an unusual but memorable symbol of that period. Their return at Anfield was therefore intended to evoke a time when Manchester City's identity was shaped primarily by the people attending matches rather than by international investment, commercial expansion or the constant expectation of winning major trophies.
The decision to revive the tradition during the current financial controversy was especially deliberate. Manchester City supporters are confronting uncertainty over the possible consequences of the disciplinary process, while rival fan groups have become increasingly vocal in their criticism of the club.
Against that backdrop, the 1894 group sought to emphasise continuity. Whatever happens in the legal proceedings, Manchester City's supporters want their relationship with the club to remain grounded in decades of shared experiences, including difficult seasons, relegations and periods when success was far from guaranteed.
The combination of retro shirts and inflatable bananas also offered a visible contrast with the image of Manchester City as one of the wealthiest and most successful clubs in European football. By referencing the years before the arrival of investment from Abu Dhabi, the travelling supporters were making the point that their loyalty existed long before the club entered its modern era of extraordinary financial resources and major trophies.
Supporters seek unity amid uncertainty over financial case
The revival of the bananas carries particular meaning because of the uncertainty surrounding Manchester City's future. The club are appealing the findings of the independent commission, and the eventual outcome could have significant consequences depending on whether those findings are upheld and what sanctions are imposed.
The ongoing proceedings have created tension across English football, with supporters of rival clubs demanding accountability while City continue to defend their position. For Manchester City's own fans, the uncertainty has introduced questions about a future that would ordinarily be dominated by discussions of trophies, transfers and sporting ambitions.
The 1894 supporters' initiative attempted to redirect attention towards something more permanent: the relationship between a football club and the people who have followed it through different eras.
The message was not that sporting success is unimportant. Manchester City supporters have celebrated numerous achievements during the club's modern period and naturally want those successes to continue. Rather, the return of the inflatable bananas suggested that supporting City cannot be reduced to the trophies won or the financial resources available to the team.
That sentiment was especially visible in the context of an away fixture against Liverpool, where the reception from home supporters was expected to be intense. While Liverpool fans used chants and protests to communicate their anger over the financial case, sections of the City support responded with humour and a symbol from the club's own history.
It was an unusual contrast: one group expressing strong opposition to the visitors, the other deliberately recalling a period when Manchester City were far removed from the elite status they now enjoy.
Anfield victory offers sporting relief during difficult period
From Manchester City's perspective, the 3-0 victory offered an important reminder that the squad must continue concentrating on football while the club deals with the disciplinary proceedings.
The situation surrounding the financial case is unlikely to disappear quickly. The appeal process remains an important unresolved matter, and future developments could continue attracting attention regardless of results on the pitch.
Nevertheless, the performance at Anfield demonstrated that Maresca's players are capable of dealing with difficult circumstances. They faced an aggressive crowd, encountered considerable resistance during the first half and then showed the efficiency required to take advantage of a decisive change in the match.
The leadership of Rúben Dias, the contribution of Matheus Nunes and the attacking effectiveness of Haaland, Doku and Cherki all formed part of a collective victory that strengthened the team's position in the championship.
For Maresca, the result represents another successful test during an outstanding opening period. Six victories from six matches have placed City at the top of the table, equalled a club record and created the possibility of further historical achievements in the coming weeks.
For Liverpool, the same match brought disappointment, their first defeat of the campaign and renewed questions over how to remain competitive against the league's strongest opponents.
For Manchester City's supporters, meanwhile, the evening offered a combination of sporting satisfaction and an opportunity to demonstrate the depth of their attachment to the club. The three goals secured the points, but the inflatable bananas carried a different message about tradition, loyalty and identity.
The coming weeks will determine whether Manchester City can extend their perfect Premier League start and whether Maresca can surpass the records established by Guardiola and Mourinho. Beyond the pitch, the ongoing appeal will continue to influence the wider conversation about the club.
For now, however, City have answered a difficult away fixture in the most convincing manner possible. Three second-half goals, another clean sheet and a maximum 18 points from six matches have reinforced their position as Premier League leaders. In an atmosphere dominated by controversy and confrontation, Manchester City allowed the result to provide the final sporting statement, while their supporters used a tradition from the 1980s to remind everyone that the history of the club extends far beyond its present circumstances.
