‘It has been tougher on fans than players or me’ says Maresca

Man City captain Ruben Dias:

“No. We do what we do, we go on the pitch, play football and we win. The answer is no.”

‘People don’t love us winning’

Man City captain Ruben Dias:

“If there’s more or less noise, for whatever reason, it’s all the same. Same as before because people don’t love us winning and we love to win.

“It’s a normal scenario where whenever you win, there are people that are not happy with it because they have the same ambition to win.”

We’ll always enjoy an Anfield victory

Man City captain Ruben Dias on Anfield celebrations:

“I very much stand by the manager’s words. It’s a win at Anfield. In whatever circumstance, be it early in the season or late in the season, we will enjoy it just as much and celebrate however we feel in the moment. It’s a show of how much it means to us.”

Dias: Man City players met to discuss charges

Man City captain Ruben Dias on squad’s reaction to charges:

“When it broke, we felt we should have a conversation as soon as we got back. We did, for everyone to be on the same page, and be clear about our peace of mind. We moved on from there. 

“It happened in a moment when we were not together but quickly we reached out to each other, found calm and progressed forward.”

Dias: Impossible to avoid noise

Man City captain Ruben Dias:

“There’s a lot of noise and it’s almost impossible to avoid seeing something even us being as private as we can be. On your phone, it’s impossible to avoid everything. 

“We’re very good at focusing on our job and being happy every time we come to work. Our minds are there and only there. It’s the things we can control and the things we’ve always been doing and enjoying so much. 

“We have full confidence in the club and trust the club.”

Dias on Anfield celebrations…

Man City captain Ruben Dias:

“It all mixes together a little bit but mainly we know it’s not easy to get three points at Anfield. That is definitely the main reason. We’re here for the points and to win competitions, that’s the main thing on our minds.”

‘It has been tougher on fans than players or me’ says Maresca

“After we were very happy, sharing time with our fans. It has been more tough for our fans than for the players or for me.

“It is more complicated. If I am an Arsenal or a United fan, I can tell a City fan, ‘Ay, my friend, you cheat’. 

“It has been more tough for them. We were happy after the game, celebrating the three points.”