Chapter 295: Fierce Fight! Klopp's Life-and-Death Attack!
Mourinho, who returned to England, became the target of media criticism. After all, he has too many legendary stories in this tournament.
Even the Roma players were exposed by the nosy British media, and all kinds of rumors and gossip emerged one after another.
Chen Xiaoliang, a rising star among the younger generation of European football, naturally could not escape the "focused fire" of reporters, especially when it came to gossip, which was the area in which British newspapers such as The Sun were best at.
Not only the sisters Helena and Erica, but also Gerard's daughter Lily was dug up and exaggerated to create a wave of scandals.
In the end, Gerrard personally took the initiative to give an interview and clarified the rumors.
For this game, as an iconic figure of Liverpool, he was invited by Sky Sports to the scene despite being unemployed at home, and served as a commentator with his old partner Carragher and former England national team teammate Rio Ferdinand.
In addition to the three of them, legendary Italian coach Fabio Capello was also invited to the scene.
Since he put down his coaching job, he has been a commentator for Sky Sports Italy and often appears in some key battles.
He once served as the head coach of the England national team, and had a master-disciple relationship with Gerrard, Ferdinand and others.
In addition to the scandals, various transfer rumors are also emerging one after another, such as Paris Saint-Germain wants to spend 150 million to buy Chen Xiaoliang, Bayern wants to spend 60 million euros to buy Cesco, Manchester City has set its sights on Kvaratskhelia, Chelsea is interested in buying back Abraham, etc. In short, half of Roma is going to be divided up.
These are common tactics before important events. Some of them are just reporters trying to attract attention and traffic, while others are smoke screens deliberately released by Liverpool FC through media that they cooperate with privately, just to disrupt Roma's morale and military spirit.
On the evening of October 30, the Serie A match against Verona was over. On the 31st, we had a brief training session at the club’s residence. In the afternoon, we flew for several hours to Liverpool. It was already evening when we arrived at the hotel. Then on November 1, the team went to Anfield for a walk-through. Mourinho also had to attend a press conference. The match was scheduled for the evening of the 2nd.
The team was exhausted from the long journey, which meant they had no chance to rest or train properly.
In the two games against Napoli and Verona, Chen Xiaoliang obtained 7 and 3 training points respectively, as well as 2 physical recovery cards. However, the training in the past 7 days was not complete, and he only accumulated 20 training points.
Training value 32 → 62
Stamina recovery card 3→5
If you can’t afford to add some, save it all.
On the morning of the 2nd, the city of Liverpool, which is not as lively as Rome on weekdays, began to become restless as if fresh blood was injected into it.
Due to the first-leg confrontation between the two teams, Roma gave the visiting team Liverpool 5,000 tickets, but this round moved to Anfield, the stadium is smaller than the Rome Olympic Stadium, and the football market is hot and tickets are hard to come by, so Liverpool only gave Roma 2,700 tickets.
Even so, John Lennon Airport still welcomed waves of loyal fans flying in from Italy and all over Europe, including those from Liverpool and of course Rome.
They flocked to Anfield, 13.3 kilometers away, even though the game did not start until the evening. They had rehearsed the possible course of the game thousands of times in hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes, and even on the streets.
The entire Roma team is doing the same thing.
"Get started, get started!"
This is the sentence Mourinho has repeated most.
After Klopp's team defeated the powerful Manchester City 1-0 and handed their opponent their first defeat of the season, they lost consecutively to the seemingly weak Nottingham Forest and Leeds United. The reasons for the losses were that they failed to suppress their opponents at the beginning or lost the ball directly at the beginning.
In their home stadium, with the 12th man cheering him on, Klopp will certainly resort to his usual high-pressure approach at the start of the game, trying to disrupt Roma's rhythm from the very first moment, score as many goals as possible, and then take control of the game.
The Roma players prepared very seriously. When a draw would secure first place, no one wanted to fall to second place and face super strong teams like Real Madrid, Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.
As both teams' buses pulled into the stadium, players got off and the action, which was live on Sky Sports, began.
The beautiful host first asked the four guests to predict the score of the game.
Capello predicted 1-1, Ferdinand 1-2, Carragher 2-0 and Gerrard 2-1.
Carragher deliberately asked Gerrard who would score the goal in Roma's 2-1 victory. Faced with his old friend's deliberate question, Gerrard did not give a direct answer, but turned to ask Capello who he predicted would score the goal for Roma.
As a senior who is more than a generation older than them, Capello naturally did not join in the laughter, but answered very seriously that he believed it was Kvaratskhelia who scored the goal.
The reason is very sufficient. Although he knows that Chen Xiaoliang and Dybala have been in hot goal-scoring form recently, this is no secret to Klopp and the entire Liverpool team.
They will definitely formulate special defensive tactics against Chen Xiaoliang, otherwise winning will just be a slogan.
After Chen Xiaoliang was closely guarded, the two wingers of Roma will bear greater offensive responsibilities. Compared with Dybala on the right, Kva on the left has too obvious an advantage over Arnold.
Gerrard couldn't help but ask Capello how he thought Liverpool's lineup could limit Chen Xiaoliang?
Capello said that it was impossible to rely on the usual lineup. Whether it was Fabinho, Elliott, or the aging Milner, it was impossible to defend against Chen Xiaoliang who was rushing around like an empty space. Some new methods must be used.
Soon, the starting lineups announced by both sides confirmed the legendary coach's prediction.
Liverpool's starting goalkeeper Alisson;
The back four consisted of Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk and Tsimikas. Gomez, who had a disastrous performance in the first round, did not play, and Robertson was also on the bench.
There was a bright spot in the three midfielders, with Fabinho in the middle and Thiago on the left, while the other midfielder was replaced by the Spanish teenager Bajcetic who just turned 18 11 days ago;
The forward trident is still Salah, Nunez and Firmino.
Roma's starting goalkeeper Patricio;
Defenders: Spinazzola, Smalling, Gvardiol and Malacia;
Enzo and Cristante are the double defensive midfielders, Chen Xiaoliang is the central midfielder;
The front three are still Kva, Cesco and Dybala.
With the strongest lineup facing the strongest opponent, Roma put all the energy accumulated from the rotations a while ago into this battle to defend the top spot in the group.
As the players from both teams walked onto the field, the fierce English began to boo Roma crazily.
There were also a few radical fans who threw paper cups of drinks directly at the players. They were instantly held down by the security guards in the stands and lost their qualification to watch the game before it even started.
There was no spark between the players of both sides. Chen Xiaoliang and Liverpool's third captain Firmino exchanged souvenirs, and then both sides shook hands and greeted the referee team in turn.
Carragher introduced the referee team for this game.
"Today's referee team consists of six people from Germany."
"The referee is Stiller. In the games he officiated, Italian teams have always performed well. Roma won two games, and Juventus and Inter Milan won one each."
After guessing the sides, the referee announced that Roma would attack first.
"Beep!" The whistle sounded, accompanied by huge cheers, and the game officially began!
Although it was not as exaggerated as Napoli's 8-man center line charge formation, Roma's midfield and frontcourt immediately pressed forward after the kick-off.
Cristante received the ball from Cesco in the center line and took a few steps before making a long pass to Chen Xiaoliang who was making a direct run.
Capello's prediction was confirmed after the opening. From the moment Chen Xiaoliang stepped into his own half, young player Bayicetic stuck to Chen Xiaoliang like a magnet.
Compared to Elliott, who is not very good at defense, Bajicetic joined Liverpool's youth training system from Celta at the age of 15. After two and a half years of training, he became a representative figure of the Red Army's youth training.
Having played as a central defender and defensive midfielder for a long time in the youth team, he was selected by Klopp to the first team and pressed into the midfield position , bringing new vitality to the aging midfield. Today's starting lineup also made him the youngest starting player in Liverpool's Champions League history at the age of 18 years and 11 days.
Facing the 18-year-old Chen Xiaoliang who has unlimited energy, this young player who just turned 18 is the only way Klopp can use to restrain him tonight.
In the frontcourt, as the ball slowly fell, Bayicetic stuck closely to Chen Xiaoliang, using all his strength to block his position and prevent Chen Xiaoliang from jumping to catch the ball.
Of course Chen Xiaoliang would not be intimidated by his opponent right at the start.
Facing Bayicetić, who was relatively strong and 2 cm taller than him, Chen Xiaoliang suddenly released his strength. When Bayicetić, who had been pushing him hard, suddenly had no support and his upper body missed and his feet staggered forward, Chen Xiaoliang turned forward and directly received Cristante's pass with his foot, and immediately moved forward.
Bayicetic did not give up. After he stood firm, he immediately turned around and chased again, while Fabinho blocked Chen Xiaoliang from a distance.
Bayicetić was chasing very quickly. Chen Xiaoliang had to wait for his teammates to advance and to ensure space for the ball, so he did not move forward at full speed. He was caught up by Bayicetić after only a few steps.
Chen Xiaoliang did not get entangled with him. He found the right route and kicked the ball directly to the left. Kva had already caught up and received the ball.
But even though he had already passed the ball, Bayicetic still followed Chen Xiaoliang closely, and even reached out to pull Chen Xiaoliang's clothes when Chen Xiaoliang tried to get rid of him by running.
Seeing this, Gerrard couldn't help but say: "This reminds me of Chen who had just come to Rangers. In the game against Celtic, I also asked him to keep an eye on the opponent's core players throughout the game."
Kva received the ball and advanced, facing Arnold, who is arguably his favorite opponent.
Arnold leaned his body to the right and stood on the left, ready to block the inside cut and chase down the bottom.
Kva didn't care what posture he wanted to use. Now he saw that Arnold was no longer passively taking countermeasures based on the opponent's choice. The initiative was completely in his own hands.
Just as Kva started to use his speed to break through from the outside, Fabinho came over, and Thiago, who was originally on the other side, moved to the middle.
Klopp seemed to know that he could not defend, so he formulated a strategy of using more people to defend fewer people in the backcourt to deal with the gap on the wing after Arnold was broken through.
Sure enough, after a sudden stop and change of direction after Kvartana's breakthrough, Arnold lost the defense in the interior and watched Kvartana cut inside and rushed into the penalty area.
The 23-year-old French central defender Konate, who started the game, came up to block the opponent, and Fabinho was behind him to double-team him. Kva rubbed the ball with his right foot and gently lifted it to the middle!
Cesco received the ball and jumped up outside the small penalty area to compete with Van Dijk in bounce and physical confrontation!
However, the old ones are still the best. Although Cesco started in a better position early, he was squeezed by Van Dijk and his header was weak and was easily caught by Alisson.
As soon as Cesco landed, Alisson held the ball and kicked it directly. The ball passed the midfield of both teams and flew directly to Salah on the right!
Although Pharaoh is already 30 years old and is at the beginning of the decline in physical fitness of professional players, he still outstrips Malaysia in speed. He sprints forward and easily receives Alisson's long pass with his left foot, then rushes quickly into the Roma penalty area.
In the middle, Nunez and Firmino were one in front and one behind. Firmino cut in from the wing to occupy the back post, while Nunez went straight to the junction of Roma's two central defenders.
Chen Xiaoliang chased back at full speed, but no matter how fast he ran, he could not outrun the speed of the ball flying in the air.
Malaysia was dribbled past, and Salah was left with only Gvardiol as a barrier in front of him. The Croatian central defender had no choice but to block him and try to slow down Salah's advance and block the angle of his shot.
As soon as Guevadiol attacked, Salah's pass appeared immediately. He swept his left foot forward, and Nunez, who was lurking in front of Smalling and behind Guevadiol, immediately rushed forward!
In the live broadcast room, Carragher had already burst into excited, wild boar-like roars.
"Whoa! Whoa!"
Patricio relied on his experience to make an advance judgment and blocked Nunez's most likely shooting direction!
Nunez, who was at the center of media and fans criticism for repeatedly missing the far corner, did not dare to shoot easily. After all, the pressure of missing scoring opportunities was not borne by him alone. Head coach Klopp, who was criticized by the outside world for making mistakes in buying players, resulting in weak offense and poor results, was under much greater pressure than him.
Nunez is not offside!
After receiving the ball, he tapped it with his heel and passed it to Firmino who was already at the penalty spot!
Cristante didn't even catch up with the Brazilian who suddenly rushed into the penalty area from behind!
Carragher: "FIRMINO!!!"
Compared to Gerrard, who is still immature in the commentary world, Carragher, who has been engaged in event broadcasting full-time after retirement, has already grasped the secret of traffic. Although he is not as outrageous as the famous media person Piers Morgan who is also active in the football circle, he and Manchester United star Gary Neville, their sworn enemy, often quarrel during broadcasts, which also brings a lot of highlights to Sky Sports.
Unfortunately, the cheer that was about to burst out came to an abrupt end.
After receiving the pass from Nunez, Firmino chose to push the ball. Patricio was too late to turn around and save the ball, but Smalling, who did not keep up, stretched his legs and blocked the ball out of the baseline!
In the KOP stands where diehard fans gathered, countless fans simultaneously made incredible head-holding gestures.
Klopp also turned his head and let out a long roar, he was less than 30 centimeters away from a dream start!
Liverpool corner kick! High point full line pressure!
But Bayicetic, like an outsider, chose to stay by Chen Xiaoliang's side, apparently making defensive preparations for a possible quick counterattack.
Thiago takes a corner kick from the right side!
The ball spins inwards and moves away from the goal.
In the middle, Nunez jumped high after a run-up, once again shook off Smalling who was marking him, and smashed the ball into the middle of the goal with the left side of his forehead!
Patricio opened his arms to grab the ball, but the ball slipped out of his hands!
In the small restricted area!
Salah made a follow-up shot!
Although Patricio made a second save, he was helpless because of Salah's close shot!
The ball went straight into the top of the net, and with Malaysia and Spinazzola blocking the two goal posts, there was no possibility of offside!
In the 3rd minute, Liverpool led 1-0 at home, which was a dream start!
Carragher, Gerrard: “Yeah!!! Yeah!!!”
Although they had a very strong love for Chen Xiaoliang in their hearts, the Liverpool blood flowing in their bodies still made Gerrard and Carragher cheer loudly together!
In the stadium, Liverpool fans also sang loudly:
"Revenge! Revenge!"
“From Rome to Madrid!”
"Red will once again stand at the top of Europe!"
After standing up, Patricio felt very guilty and couldn't help shaking his head with his hands on his hips.
Chen Xiaoliang and several teammates went up to him and patted him on the shoulder.
The goalkeeper's mentality is very important, especially when the game has just started. Only by adjusting his mentality in time can he ensure that he will not make mistakes in subsequent games.
Like Kariusz, after experiencing the super nightmare of the Champions League final, he moved to many places for more than four years, but has not yet come out of the haze to this day.
On the sidelines, Klopp ran all the way along the stands in celebration, then performed his signature "Farmer's Three Punches" to his diehard fans, causing the fans in the stands to shout "Oh! Oh! Oh!!!" with him.
Chen Xiaoliang realized that the team still underestimated Liverpool's willingness to win the game.
With the Premier League giants on the brink of collapse, the possibility of competing for the top four in the league this season is slim. They urgently need to retain the greatest possibility of advancement in the Champions League in an attempt to stay in the Champions League next season.
In other words, Klopp also wants to adjust the team's morale through victory in the Champions League and maintain his increasingly dangerous position as coach.
In this game, not only was Bayicetic arranged to closely guard Chen Xiaoliang, but in the corner kick just now, Liverpool only left two players behind.
Doing this at the beginning of the game is no longer just a simple attempt to get a good start, it is almost a life-or-death attack.
If you don't succeed, you will die.
Although he is as young as himself, Chen Xiaoliang really can't completely get rid of Bayicetic for a while, because despite the difference in ability, as a professional player, Bayicetic's basic physical quality and fitness are completely up to standard.
Even if he wanted to wear him down by running endlessly, it would be impossible to accomplish it within the first few minutes of the game.
That night, Chen Xiaoliang finally felt the pressure and challenge brought by the devil's home field and the Premier League giants.
However, only in this way can his inner fighting spirit and all his potential be fully aroused.
