Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterGuys, the noise will always be there, was Enzo Marescas rallying cry when the Manchester City players reconvened for the first time since the clubs guilty verdict. Its our duty to make our noise.Faced with the righteous fury of Anfield and beyond, knowing that resentment and hostility will be hurled in Manchester Citys direction for the remainder of the 2026/27 campaign, Maresca has adopted the classic siege mentality. City will bring the noise; will fight fire with fire.Its the obvious play - but it bumps up against Citys usual tactical setup. It isnt said often enough (certainly not by tactical analysts) that the psychological and the tactical are symbiotically linked. Mentality triggers tactical battles; tactical preparation sets the emotional tone. For that reason, you wouldnt expect Maresca - the chess-loving purveyor of calm possession football to be the right manager to convert indignation into a playing style to match.Manchester City went direct against Liverpool, with Erling Haaland's role tweakedThats what makes the tactical pattern of Citys 3-0 victory at Liverpool so interesting, because putting aside the red herring of Rayan Cherkis goal a flowing team move that emphasised Citys man advantage and Liverpools broken spirit here was a new Maresca: direct, forward-thinking, ugly; almost Mourinho-esque in converting a siege mentality into tactical principles.Long passes were pumped forward, mostly for Erling Haaland to challenge aerially, but some to move the ball quickly into the wingers. City, before the red card especially, decided to bypass Andoni Iraolas high press and create a wilder contest, essentially leaning into chaos and disorder. It was a radical departure from Maresca norms that stepped up to the unique challenge of playing in limbo and against the backdrop of seething anger. You may like How Manchester City adapted tactically after Phil Fodens red card against Manchester United HENRY WINTER: Manchester City triumph with a 'pointless' Anfield win - and show they have the character to deal with the noise Manchester City have failed to win the title in back-to-back seasons, can Enzo Maresca succeed where Pep Guardiola was starting to falter? Manchester City 2026-27 season preview Swipe to scroll horizontallyRow 0 - Cell 0 City v LiverpoolCity average before SundayLong balls5341% of passes long9.4%6.5%Direct attacks73.4Put throughs on goal1510.4These are unprecedented times, after all. Maresca was smart and bold to cast aside the more placid football we are used to seeing from his teams. He met the moment, in other words, with direct football that laid the groundwork for Jeremy Doku the ultimate vertical player, a knife to the heart of defences to come off the bench and turn the game, first causing the red card and then creating two City goals.However, its important to note that prior to the red card Liverpool were the better side precisely because Man City had been so unusually direct, therefore stretching their own shape lengthways and making the pitch extremely big. Ryan Gravenberch repeatedly galloped straight through the middle, turning Elliot Anderson (often left all alone in midfield) and getting Liverpool into the final third at pace. Had Alexander Isak been fit to make runs ahead of him, the hosts probably would have won the game.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Image 1 of 2Image 1 of 2View OriginalImage 2 of 2View OriginalThat only makes Marescas battle plan more curious; more obviously linked to a mentality shift. Historically, Maresca would double down on calm and order for games like these, attempting to suck the life out of more frenetic opposition. That he didnt, risking collapse, is instructive.Instead City embraced the noise, telling us Maresca knows his plans went out the window as soon as the verdict came through. The new message, blaring loudly from aggressive tactics, is unrepentance and freedom.Watching Haaland recast as a battering ram old-school number nine, and watching Man City fans Poznan with inflatable bananas in hand, it seems both manager and supporters have come to the same conclusion: if this whole thing is about to come crashing down, if fans are going to boo and hiss your every move, well, you may as well let go and have some fun with it. You may as well bring the noise.TOPICSManchester CityLiverpoolPremier LeagueAlex KebleFreelance Tactics WriterAlex Keble is a freelance football journalist based in London, specialising in tactical analysis. Hehas written forBBC Sport, Goal, The Mirror, The Independent, Football 365, and many others. As well as covering Premier League football, Alex works as a child therapist.
