Craig Burley expresses sympathy for Enzo Maresca amid Man City controversy | ESPN FC
Craig Burley sympathises with Maresca and analyses Liverpool vs Man City plus Man United vs Tottenham
The show first discusses how Enzo Maresca responded to Manchester City's financial controversy, with Craig Burley arguing that it is unfair to make the new manager answer those questions. The panel then analyses the Anfield atmosphere and Liverpool's injuries, seeing Liverpool vs Manchester City as too close to call; in the Manchester United-Tottenham game, Spurs' poor form instead puts more pressure on United.
- Fully trusts Manchester City and its people; a process is ongoing, and his job is to control the noise and keep the team focused on winning. — He trusts the people at the club, which is why he joined, and says there is no other club he would rather be at.
- Manchester City will be hit hard at Anfield, especially in the first 20 minutes; if they survive that, they can get something, while Liverpool must start fast or their absences may stop them exploiting it. — He cites how even Ferguson's Manchester United sides could not handle Anfield and City's poor recent record there.
- Feels sorry for Maresca; it is unfair to make the manager answer questions about Manchester City's finances, and the executives and financial controllers should be questioned instead; Maresca can only repeat the club line. — Maresca is a recent hire who was previously only a coach at City and did not make big decisions, so these are not questions for the manager, more like issues from Pep Guardiola's time.
- Manchester City's key players will not be intimidated by the Anfield hostility, and Liverpool currently lack the pace to frighten them. — He does not think players like Haaland will be bothered, and Liverpool's current level means the game is not clearly tilted toward the hosts.
- Manchester City are now the villains; their players will be booed and targeted, but they will eventually get used to it, and what frustrates other fans most is that the consequences remain unknown and a league expulsion is unlikely. — He says the only easy targets are the players, while no one knows what the punishment will be.
- With Gakpo and another main attacker unavailable, Liverpool lack firepower, and Florian must step up and prove he can carry a big game. — The players who have stood out for goals and creativity are missing, the remaining forwards have produced very little, and the spotlight is on him.
- Liverpool and Manchester City will draw 2-2. — The game is too hard to call and both sides have issues, so a draw is the safe pick.
- The Manchester United-Tottenham game is a huge pressure match; Spurs have been poor, lightweight and unable to score, so if United lose at home to them, talk about Michael Carrick's future and agents circling will intensify, though it is too early for that now. — Spurs have been among the worst teams in the Premier League, and United's own bad start makes this a game where they must get something.
- If Bruno Fernandes is fit, Manchester United edge it; if not, it is too hard to pick and another draw is likely. — Spurs are poor but will eventually win, so United players fear being the team that ends their slump; Bruno's fitness is key.
- Picks Manchester United to beat Tottenham because Spurs are too fragile and have been scary, but that also shows how low United are right now. — Spurs' fragility gives United the edge, yet United are being favoured mainly because the opponent is even worse.
Dan Thomas is joined by Craig Burley and Steve Nicol to discuss Liverpool's chances against Manchester City at Anfield and Enzo Maresca amid the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Man City's finances. ✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: https://plus.espn.com/ ESPN ESPNFC liverpool mancity
Transcript
Premier League returns and of course it's the first round of matches since Manchester City were found guilty of those 115 charges. For the league leaders, it's a trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool. It's the first time we've heard from all the managers really since that news was announced. All eyes on Enzo Moresca and what he had to say ahead of the game. I understand uh the reason why uh most of you uh you are here. But uh the [clears throat] only thing I can say is that uh is something that I already I already said that uh there is a process ongoing uh and in this moment [music] I completely trust uh trust the club. So this is uh this is what I can say about that. I trust the club because I trust the people and this is also the reason why I'm uh I joined the club and then there is not another club in the world that where I would like to be. So I'm very happy to be here. I'm very proud I said many times since day one. So uh this is this is my thought. We completely understand the seriousness of the situation. I'm not saying that we don't understand that. We understand the player understand but it's uh it's our duty our job to try to control the noise also because again the manager and the players we are focused to win games not about something different. >> There's been so much talk in the media over the last few days Steve about the atmosphere that Manchester City are going to be walking into at Anfield. >> How much of a difference does that really make to a City player? Well, think about [clears throat] how good Manchester United have been under for Alex Vargas in particular. >> I think that's that's nice and relevant. >> Well, if you hold on and give me two seconds, I'll tell you. >> Right. Go on. >> Every single player that played for him was a superstar almost with with more experience than anybody else playing in the Premier League and they couldn't win a game at Anfield because they couldn't handle the atmosphere. So why would Manchester City be able to to to deal with the atmosphere, >> right, >> when a team is good with strong characters? I mean, Wayne Rooney, you talk about a strong character. Wayne Rooney never kicked a ball at Anfield for for Manchester United because of the because of the atmospher that's the reason they didn't because >> added to that fact City haven't got a great record at Liverpool dur during this period >> right but the problem the problem for Liverpool is that unless they start well and get themselves ahead and put City in a in a horrible position, then I'm not sure whether Liverpool in terms of the way they're playing and because of the because of the players that are not available tomorrow are going to be able to take advantage of it. But absolutely, don't don't kid yourself. Manchester City are going to struggle for 20 minutes at Anfield. They will find out what it's like for Man United players to go to Anfield, particularly in the first 20. And if they can get through that, then they can get something from the game. >> I don't think the players will care too much. I mean, obviously that Man United stuff is a is a rivalry. >> Uh was a rivalry. Uh not so much uh these days. Uh I don't think the City players will mind. I I just I feel a bit sorry for Mesa there. And I said, what's he going to say? He's a he's a he's a a recent hire. All right. He was there coaching for a [clears throat] few years ago, but he wasn't in the front line. He wasn't making big decisions. He's a recent hireer. This is where it's so antiquated in England, right? If you want to ask questions about what the chief executives were doing and and the financial controllers, get them down there and ask the questions. He can't answer those questions. It's ridiculous. It's ridiculous. Of course, he's going to support his club. Of course, he's going to support his players, but he can only say what he can say. He can only pedal out the the the the club line because it's not his position. I mean, it's Pep Guardiola's position. He he's he's bolted. He knew what was coming by the way and nobody's ever and he no no nobody's ever got to the bottom of if of if of if of if of if of if of if of if of if of if of if of if of like Manchini he was one of the ones that was paid off the books as well. Nobody's got to the bottom of that. We don't know that but he's he's gone. So in terms of the players we'll find out how it's going to affect them but I'm I'm not sure it is. Players are going to get paid. >> Can you remember your first game at Ibrooks as a Celtic player? >> Yeah, but that's different. you remember how well in terms of the atmosphere it's it's going to be that's I said it yesterday Manchester City going to Anfield previously it's been a completely different atmosphere there's been a lot of respect both for city both for what they've done and for the players and for Pep so it was it was all respect that ain't going to happen on Sunday from the minute they turn the corner for break road and get Anfield they're going to have all kinds at the boss, banging on the bus. So, they've never had that before at Anfield. It It's going to be It's absolutely going to be something that they've never dealt with before. >> And you could be right. Maybe they could rise above it and use it. But I tell you what, I'm I'm not so sure. That's why I said the first 20 minutes is is important because they're in for a surprise. >> Yeah. I mean, I don't I don't think it's going to bother the likes of Holland and a Cherokee and and all these. I I just don't think that'll bother them. And also Liverpool at the moment, they're not exactly a team that you need to be, you know, really frightened of in terms of the pace. So there's not, we don't know. That's my worry. >> We don't know what Liverpool Yeah. Look, everywhere City go now, whether these players have been involved in it or not are part of the shenanigans in terms of money was used to bring some of these. Obviously, the recent ones are probably different. I don't know. I'm sick sick to death of the whole >> But they are without a doubt the bad guys. They are the villains. city everywhere they go and and and there's only one real people you can target and that's the players on the >> and and the thing is I think what will frustrate the fans of other clubs around the country is no one knows what the consequences are going to be >> and most of them probably won't kicked out the league. >> Yeah. So as a player, will it affect you week in week out being the baddie, being booed, getting walking into these atmospheres every weekend? >> Right? >> And then eventually you'll use it. The reason I'm saying about s Sunday is because it's going to be thrown in the face from, you know, they don't know what they're going into. >> But after after Sunday and and especially if they overcome that, man, I don't think you need to worry. But eventually they'll get used to it. So yeah, >> but you also you mentioned a very relevant point. Liverpool have got problems going into this, not only with their form, but also with injuries as well. That it wasn't a good good FIFA break for them either. >> And they're unbeaten, which still makes you smile considering how harsh we've been on Liverpool. [sighs and gasps] >> How much really can they go toe-to-toe with this li with the City side? How do you set up tactically? How do you go about this? >> Well, they have to defend the way they've been defending in recent weeks. was three games in a truck without losing a goal because going forward I mean there's no gakpo if if there was one player who sto has stood out this season in terms of scoring goals and creating is gakpo [music] and the other guy who hasn't been particularly brilliant but has scored goals is Alexander Rizac and neither of them are playing [music] so if you take the top two away what you left with one goal and one assist between your so-called [music] striking unit so that that is a big problem and that is that [music] is one thing >> they would suggest they can't go toe to toe. >> I know it's very early but we really haven't seen the Bradley Barola. >> No, and I was going to say with with those people missing it's time to show up a little bit. It's big games over 100 million. >> Well, it has to. >> Yeah, >> it has to on Sunday because there's there's not really anybody else. There's nobody in there to help them particularly. They're all they're all not at their best for different reasons. So the spotlight going forward 100% is on him. So we'll see whether he's got the stomach for it. >> Florian needs a big game, doesn't he? >> How many times he said that? I always did it for >> so I'm saying he needs to like show that he can take a game by by the scruff of the neck and and do stuff that makes you just go wow that was that's you know playing the playing a great passes or you know going past people stuff that we've we know he's capable of if you if you watched watch them at le rarely we've seen it seems that we sit here every week and not not necessarily us but it seems everybody who wants to talk and has enjoyed watching Florians previously wants to sit here and throw him a bit of slack back. You know what I mean? Throw him a bit more slack and there's only so much you're going to you're going to get away with. So, yeah, it's a big game obviously. >> What's your prediction, Craig? What do you think is what's going to happen? >> Well, let's just sit in the fence. [laughter] >> You think a draw? >> Two two. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I'll go for a draw as well. >> Yeah, draw as well. >> I hope. >> Yeah. You take a draw right now. >> I think so. Well, >> I bet when you were up in Canada last week, I bet you predicted a Liverpool win. >> I was drinking. >> I do [laughter] that question. >> I can't remember. I told you that quick. Don't worry. >> Can't remember. >> So, that's the big game on Sunday. Tough to predict. Another one. Meanwhile, on Saturday sees Manchester United take on Spurs. Uh, both had horrible starts the season. Spurs a lot worse to be fair to their hosts. Um, what the heck is going to happen in this game? >> Well, you know, I it's hard to see see who's the most pressure on here because the Zer's team have been that bad? >> Yes. Hence the >> in theory if you're Man United, you couldn't ask for a better opponent, could you? Spurs at home to get things back on track. >> Weak spars, you know, flaky signed all these players that are lightweight, have started the season pretty >> shambolic, can can't score a goal. Uh that makes it even in a sense maybe that makes it even a more pressurized situation for Michael Carrick where people are already saying, "Ah, we've seen this movie before. interim manager does well, gets the job, starts gone pear-shaped, uh time for a change, all that sort of stuff. Uh which I think is way too early, but that it's already starting to evolve. >> Context flirting from the >> other managers are out there sniffing around with their agents as they do uh and you lose at home to the worst team thus far in the Premier League. So that that's going to bring an added pressure to this United side. Honestly, I I think this is a really because United have been so bad. I I do think and as bad as Tottenham have been, I still think this is a difficult game to call. Does it help Spurs at all that they're away? Does that make any sense? >> I don't think there's anything help [laughter] with you. >> And the thing is if you as a player when you're playing in a game like this, if I'm a Man United player, I'm thinking, "Oh, I hope we'll know the team that [music] they beat cuz they know they're going to win a game eventually, right?" All you think is, "I hope it's not us." I think that if if if Bruno Fernandez is fit, I think United shade it. But if he's not fit, I I couldn't I couldn't pick a one. >> Draw again. >> Wow. >> Yeah. >> Craig, what you going for? United. >> So, I'm I'm going to go I'm I think it is a hard one. I'm going to just shave it for Man United because Tottenham have just been they've been so fragile. It's it's been it's been scary. But I kind of think that tells you where United are. Yeah. >> At this moment in time as well. Yeah. [music]