Erling Haaland has said that everyone at Manchester City has to "stick together" and "stay positive" as the team prepares to play its first match since being found guilty on all of the 100-plus charges of serious breaches of Premier League financial regulations.
Most City players were away representing their respective countries during the extended international break when the outcome of City's legal battle against the Premier League was made public.
City have branded the verdict "unsafe" and have lodged a "comprehensive appeal" of the independent commission verdict.
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Enzo Maresca's team travel to face Liverpool on Sunday and seem certain to receive a hostile reception from the Anfield crowd.
"I think they [the City fans travelling to Anfield] are gonna have a good time," Haaland told club media.
"We have to stick together. We have to stay with each other, and we have to stay positive.
"No matter what happens in life, we always have to have a smile. We have to stay positive, look ahead and try to win football games and try to enjoy the situation and win the game.
"We have to stick together, and we have to spread the love to each other.
"So yeah, stick together, enjoy the ride and smile."
Erling Haaland gave a thumbs up as he arrived at the Manchester City training ground on Thursday. Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images Haaland joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 and has won a host of individual and team honours in the years since.
"I care a lot about this place - the UK generally," he said. "My mother as well [as my father], they lived here for ten years -- they lived in Nottingham and Leeds.
"They never lived in Manchester, but obviously my father trained over at Carrington every day.
"I spent my first four years here, my brother nine and my sister six, so it's a special place for us.
"I care a lot about City, I have to say.
"I care a lot about the fans because I'm a fan myself -- I feel with them as well."
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The Norway international added in an interview with Sky Sports: "And no matter what happens in life, we always have to have a smile.