EPL 'guilty of violating financial regulations' Manchester City wins 3-0 away at Liverpool

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Oh Myeong-eon = Manchester City (hereinafter referred to as Man City) of the English Premier League (EPL) defeated Liverpool in an enemy field despite a chaotic atmosphere due to the club's conviction for violating large-scale financial regulations, and went on to win six consecutive games in the opening game.

In the away game against Liverpool held at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Manchester City scored three goals in the second half and won 3-0.

With this win, Manchester City won its sixth consecutive win in the opening game, firmly maintained its lead in the league, and widened the gap with the second-place group by three points.

The game, which had been tight and scoreless, suddenly tilted in favor of Manchester City when Liverpool's Ryan Hrabenberg was sent off after receiving a red card in the 17th minute of the second half.

Manchester City, which had a numerical advantage, opened the previously closed goal with Erling Holland's first goal in the 20th minute of the second half, just three minutes later.

Manchester City, riding on momentum, scored consecutive goals by Jeremy Doku in the 23rd minute of the second half and Rayan Sherki in the 33rd minute of the second half, putting a wedge in the game in the enemy's territory.

This day's game was Manchester City's first game since being found guilty of violating as many as 114 league financial regulations from the 2009-2010 season to the 2017-2018 season.

The committee previously found Manchester City guilty of illegally inflating sales by more than 900 million pounds (about 1.6 trillion won) by signing 'false' side contracts with commercial partners over a nine-season period from 2009.

While severe punishments such as point reduction or league relegation were being discussed, hostile boos poured in from Liverpool fans, who had repeatedly been frustrated in past championship competitions.

But Man City did not waver. Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca said, "I'm not stressed because I can't control things outside of soccer," and added, "I just focus on things I can control, such as game plans and training."

Holland, the leading striker who scored the first goal, also expressed his thoughts on the victory, saying, "It was a difficult situation, but we showed amazing mental strength. The most important thing was to arm ourselves mentally, come together, and show the 'good soccer' we are capable of."

Manchester City is currently appealing the league office's conviction.

However, until the final level of disciplinary action is confirmed, the points that Manchester City accumulates on the ground cannot escape the 'conditional' rating.